Sensory / Motor & Homework
Motor skills, as well as processing and integrating sensory input can affect homework.
Motor skills, as well as processing and integrating sensory input can affect homework.
Visual | Auditory | Movement | Snacks & Scents
Visual: Children may become overloaded or distracted with materials that appear visually busy or disorganized, or they also may not notice visual detail | |
Experiment with the use of color, as well as different font styles and sizes |
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Reduce the number of items or words on a page | |
Arrange items in a linear format rather than a cluttered format on the page | Examples of worksheet layouts Create your own worksheet |
Highlight visual details, such as indentions, punctuation, margins | |
Play Games that require planning | Mazes Unblock Me app Flowfree app Snap Circuits Electronics kit |
Use a cover page to help focus on one row at a time, fold worksheets in half, draw a line after every 10 items to make short sections | |
Auditory: Children may become easily distracted by noise or require background noise to help filter out extraneous input or thoughts | |
Try noise-canceling headphones that are soft and lightweight | Snug Kids Earmuffs Banz Kids Headphones Headband |
Use clocks that do not produce a ticking noise | |
Identify sounds that are pleasant to the child to use as notifications/reminders | |
Movement: Children may need to engage in movement or calm movement prior to and during homework | |
Establish calmness before beginning work by tapping a slow, quiet rhythm and engaging in breathing exercises | |
Engage in movement exercises | Exercises for Sensory Processing |
Try using a wiggle seat | |
Snacks & Scents | |
Have homework snacks that are healthy and offer various textures & taste preferences (e.g. carrots, celery with cheese, pretzels, grapes, apple slices with peanut butter) | |
Use sensory chewy tools, such as chewy tubes, chewy pencils, chewing gum | Chewy Pencil Toppers |
Try fragrance lamps, diffusers, or candles for pleasing scents |