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My Child Has a Hearing Loss...What Next?
Information and resources for parents of newly diagnosed deaf and hard of hearing children.
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Helping Fidgety Kids Sit Still?
By: Renata Bursten, Dragonfly Staff
A sensory approach to the age-old question.
Lots of children have trouble sitting still in a circle or in a class. A nonintegrated sensory system may be at the bottom of their problem. Sensory circle-time strategies can help the 'fidgeter', in both the classroom and the home.
How about:
Seating the children in beanbag or soft chairs to give maximum support and pressure over a large part of the body surface. If possible, adapt the seating for the whole group. This helps the children avoid feeling singled out or "special".
Use a visual cue (like a carpet marker) to show the child where to sit. A good collection of bright place mats can offer each child an easily recognizable spot of their own.
Let the child hold "fidget toys". Try a Skwish, a few Wikki Stix, or Strength Putty. Save these toys for circle time only to maximize their magic.
Sit the child straddling a Physio Egg or a Physioball. The kinesthetic and vestibular input may help stretch the attention span.
Try breaking the circle up into an active physical part and a quiet listening part. For some children, a brief bout of physical exertion can help them settle down and focus on the teacher.
Carrying a few strategies in to the circle can help you get the most of the time spent in the circle.
Have fun!
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PLAY Tip
Auditory Processing: Soundtracks
Sharpening up auditory processing skills is fun and easy with this game. To make the Lotto action more exciting start the tape at different places every time. If the Lotto action of the game is too abstract to be appropriate, try cutting the picture cards into individual cards and matching them to the sounds heard. You can offer as few or many choices as is appropriate.