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Active Imagination Activity Book

Sensory World

Tabs along the bottom border of each page allow the teacher, parent, or therapist to select activities that are ideal for calming, energizing, upper extremity strengthening, and core strengthening.  The tabs allow daily routines of activities to be easily developed. Tabs also make it easier to select activities that are specific to the child’s area(s) of need.  Often these sensorimotor activities improve more than one area, so multiple tabs will reflect this along the bottom of the page. For example, “Meteorite Launch” is an energizing and core strengthening activity.

Every child has a unique set of sensory needs and abilities. Some children appear “over-aroused” (too wired, unable to sit still) while some children appear “under –aroused” (too sluggish, trouble getting moving).  Improving children’s level of arousal and their ability to attend and focus can be achieved through sensorimotor activities.

Calming Activities

Activities that are designated as “calming” provide input to muscles and joints in a slow/rhythmic way. These activities generally focus on “deep pressure” and “heavy work”. Deep pressure activities refer to input such as “squishing under cushions, or being rolled snuggly in a blanket. Heavy work refers to any movement activity against resistance (pushing heavy objects, pushing up against gravity).  

Note:

These activities are great preparation for bedtime. They are also helpful prior to table top work at school or before homework.

Energizing Activities

Activities that are designated as “energizing” provide input to the body that “revs” up or “perks” up the nervous system. The movements are usually quick and often involve changes in head position. These activities often involve jumping, rolling, bending forward, leaping over objects, etc.

Upper Body Strengthening Activities

Activities that are designated as “upper body strengthening” involve weight bearing on extended arms, modified push- ups, animal walks, etc. These activities all help to build the child’s strength and stability in the shoulder girdle, arms, wrists, hands, and fingers. Upper body strength is critical to fine motor coordination which is necessary for children to perform everyday tasks such as writing, buttoning/zippering, tying their shoes.

Core Strengthening Activities

Activities designated as “core strengthening” target the large muscle groups of the hips, trunk, and shoulder girdle. These activities build postural control, bilateral coordination, balance, and the ability to grade movements. Climbing, running, jumping, and playing on the playground are more easily accomplished with good core strength. Development of the core is also important for regulation and attention.  Activities that require stability and postural control, such as sitting at a school desk during the day, are also more easily achieved when the child has better core strength.

Excerpted from Active Imagination Activity Book by Kelly Tilley Copyright © 2011 by Kelly Tilley. Excerpted by permission.
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