Parents Learning Together

Do you notice your child frequently chewing or licking non-food items? Grinding their teeth? Biting their nails? Sucking objects, such as the neckline of their shirt? Having a variety of strategies on hand can help alleviate the anxiety and stress that might be at the root of these sensory-seeking behaviours. You may have to try several different approaches before finding a tool that fits.

• Crunchy foods such as raw vegetables, pretzels, popcorn, apples, etc.
• Chew on sensory chew toys, gum and chewy foods, such as fruit leather, beef jerky, bagels, etc.
• Sour candies
• Popsicles
• Thick drinks through a straw
• Blowing Activities
• Blowing up balloons (with adult supervision)
• Blowing bubbles
• Whistles or harmonicas
• Temperature: cold (adding ice cubes to their water, frozen yogurt or fruit)
• Increase the flavor – some kids may enjoy stronger spices or flavor (mint, lemon, spicy)
• Water Bottles with resistant straw
• Blowing cotton balls or pompoms across a table using a straw

Whole-Body Heavy Work: These activities can help regulate and calm the nervous system, reducing the need for sensory seeking.

• Pushing a weighted/heavy item
• Pulling a wagon or loaded backpack
• Wall push-ups, chair push-ups, or animal walks (bear/wheelbarrow/crab)
• Climbing playground equipment
• Carrying groceries, books, or pushing chairs in around the table
• Wiping the table or windows
• Jumping on a mini trampoline or doing “frog jumps”

The above strategies always work best when your child is interested and even better is when they initiate a sensory strategy on their own.

Follow their Lead!