But what about when kids are at school?  Recess is great (more about that in an upcoming post), but for most of the day, kids are learning in their classrooms.  This doesn’t mean that they have to go without sensory input all day though!  Those of us who understand sensory processing know how important it is to engage all of kids’ sensory systems to help them learn and function at their best. Here are 23 simple sensory strategies for the classroom!  These ideas will help you move toward creating a sensory-friendly classroom.

To read more: https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/23-ways-to-create-a-sensory-friendly-classroom/

As pediatric occupational and physical therapists, we believe in the power of movement!  We believe that if students have the opportunity to choose alternative seating options throughout their school day, their bodies (and minds) will be awake and ready to learn!Learn about alternative seating and how to use it in the classroom to promote attention, motor skills, and more!

To read more: https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/alternative-seating-classroom/

These days, it’s not uncommon for teachers to encounter kids who can’t sit still, kids who can’t attend, or kids who can’t regulate their behaviors.  In fact, many of the teachers we work with tell us that sometimes it seems like they have entire classrooms full of kids who need constant redirection to stay on task and keep themselves under control. These heavy work ideas for school are the perfect way to help promote calmer, more organized behavior for kids.

To read more: https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/heavy-work-ideas-school/

Ever wonder how to introduce fidget toys in the classroom setting?  We’ve got you covered. Today, we’re going to delve into a teacher-friendly, kid-friendly, and therapist-friendly approach to introducing fidgets and sensory materials into a classroom setting.  

To read more: https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/introduce-fidget-toys-classroom/

These days, it’s not uncommon to hear about kids who have difficulty with paying attention.  They can’t sit still, they can’t keep their eyes on what they’re doing, or they miss important instructions and details. Some children who experience difficulty with paying attention may need less sensory input because they become distracted or overwhelmed by certain sensory experiences.  However, many children are better able to attend to and participate when tasks appeal to the senses.  They need more sensory input to regulate themselves and stay focused.

To read more: https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/paying-attention-30-sensory-strategies/

Books are the perfect way to introduce a theme and to get kids’ imaginations going so they’re ready to jump into the rest of the activities related to the theme!  When we’re selecting books to go along with our themed activities, we are specifically looking for ones that will get kids up and moving while we read or books that will inspire movement in some way after we read. These movement books are the perfect way to inspire playful and creative movement activities in your home, classroom, or therapy practice!

To read more: https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/the-best-movement-books-for-kids/