Your Therapy Source Magazine for Pediatric Therapists July 2016 | Page 29

Now you are ready to use the
stress balls. Since these
provide a heavier tactile input
that your typical stress ball
some children may dislike the
feeling. Some children may
crave it. Here are some
suggestions:
1. stress ball – use it to
relieve stress by squeezing it.
2. fidget – keep the hands
busy so you can sit still squish
and squeeze the ball (it is a
little noisy).
3. warm ups before handwriting – rub this between your hands to wake up
the small muscles and get them ready to write.
4. foot massage – place it under your foot and roll it back and forth to work
out any small muscle cramps in the foot (alert – this is some serious sensory
input).
5. coordination skills – these make excellent juggling balls. The garbanzo bean
balls are a nice weight providing some extra input to catch and toss.
6. challenge your balance – try to stand on one foot and roll it back and
forth. Kick it to a friend.

Need more ideas for sensory breaks, stress relief and
tactile input? Check out the Sensational Brain
membership for creating effective sensory diets.

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