Understanding Sensory Integration: Tips for Grandparents
By Stella Sims
Becoming or being a grandparent is the most amazing privilege. We get to love unconditionally, we learn to play and laugh again, as well as cry and hold and accept and marvel and swell with pride and get to share the many emotions , the little and big moments of growing and being . And we receive so much from our little grandchildren. (And then we can hand them back to their parents at the end of the day!)
This article is written with the intention of sharing some experiences and insights about sensory integration with my fellow grandparents. My hope is that it will empower us to understand our little grandchildren better and to realise how we can and already do play a vital role in supporting their development of sensory integration through our presence and by engaging in activities more consciously. With better understanding we might also be better equipped to support our own children through parenthood.
I am sure that you have noticed and wondered about how different your grandchildren react to the same situation. While there are obviously personality differences, many of these reactions are possibly due to how the children perceive and react to sensations.
Some love the playground and some even go too wild too fast too high for us to cope with because our own balance is not what it used to be. Another child might avoid the swings and cling to you. One child might love your squishy squashy hugs and kisses while the other turns away or wriggles out of your arms or even cries. One refuses to wear the beautiful jersey you lovingly knitted with pure wool, because it is “too scratchy” while another seems unaware of what she is wearing in hot or cold weather. Some love running barefoot on wet grass or stomping through mud and puddles, while another might avoid getting wet or dirty. And on the subject of shoes there are those who might scream when you try to put on their shoes and socks, or if the seams of the socks are not put on “just right”. One little boy expressed it so aptly with “shoes make me difficult”. What is interesting about his comment is that he knew that an uncomfortable sensation can result in an emotion and even a behaviour.
Most children love grannie’s home baked cookies. However, if you have made the mistake of putting in squishy raisins pretending to be chocolate chips, your grandchild might take a long time before trusting your wares again. That is how a simple mismatch of sensation could even result in trust issues.
The trick for us grandparents, and parents, is to observe, watch and listen to the cues our children give us, then to understand the possible sensory reason for a reaction and then, most importantly, to respect and adjust to them and not to impose our own will. Next time your granddaughter performs about putting on the beautiful patent leather Sunday shoes which cost a lot of money, try letting her go to church or to the fancy luncheon barefoot or in her soft slippers or whatever she prefers. She might actually be able to sit still for the duration or not have a tantrum half way through the event.
I am sure that many of us grandparents struggle to adjust to baby-led weaning. Gone are the days where we could puree all the good vegetables and then spoon feed the little ones and wipe away any mess around the mouth with the spoon as we go. But let me paint a picture from a sensory point of view. Instead of thinking that it will have to be my responsibility to teach my grandchild to eat with a knife and fork (they will eventually learn to do that naturally when ready) USE the mealtime as one of the richest opportunities for their development through sensory stimulation . Allowing them to choose what they want to eat developes independence and ability to make choices. They can avoid the textures they find difficult to tolerate. They get to experience and explore a wide variety of sensations through their hands and mouth – soft, hard, squishy, mushy, crunchy, warm, cold, squirty, juicy, salty, sweet and so on through getting totally involved with the food. Instead of saying “don’t play with your food” – as we were taught, allow them to explore all these sensations. Instead of battlefields, mealtimes then become fun, and where there is fun there is integration. This can be followed by any version of “Lets clean up together”. You would have contributed significantly to your grandchild’s development through sensory stimulation and processing without even having had to think about what activity to do with them. And then after so much fun, it will be much easier to sit down quietly to read a book together.
Let’s have a look at what we mean with the term Sensory Integration:
Sensory integration is the process by which our brain organises and interprets sensory information from the world around us. For children, especially those with sensory processing disorders, developing this ability is crucial for daily functioning and learning.
Sensory integration involves processing information from our senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, and the sense of movement and body position. When this process is disrupted, children may experience difficulties in responding appropriately to sensory input. This can sometimes manifest as over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity to stimuli, and can lead to challenges in behaviour, attention, and motor skills.
Activities that grandparents, and parents, can do to encourage Sensory Integration
There are so many activities we do naturally with our grandchildren but do not necessarily realise the value in terms of sensory benefits. Here are some ideas:
- Outdoor Play: Activities like swinging, sliding, playing in a sandbox, swimming can help children experience different sensory inputs.
Sensory benefits: These activities stimulate the vestibular system (balance) and proprioceptive system (body awareness), which are critical for sensory integration. Going to the beach provides one of the best natural environments to play with sand and water stimulating the tactile (touch) system.
- Arts and Crafts: Engaging in crafts such as finger painting, clay modelling, or using textured materials allows children to explore various textures.
Sensory benefits: improves their tactile (touch)processing. Grandparents can make this a fun and messy experience, which is beneficial for sensory development.
- Music and Movement: Singing songs, playing instruments, dancing or encouraging grandchildren to move to the beat, playing rhythm games, playing drums on pots and pans or simply enjoy music together.
Sensory benefits: enhance auditory (hearing) and vestibular (movement and balance) processing and development of rhythm and coordination.
- Sensory Bins: Create bins filled with rice or beans, or lentils for children to explore. Adding small toys or tools can make the activity more engaging.
Sensory Benefits: This helps children get used to different textures and improves fine motor skills.
- Kitchen Activities for Sensory Integration
The kitchen is a treasure trove of sensory experiences. Here are a few easy and effective activities grandparents can do with their grandchildren using everyday kitchen items:
- Cooking Together: Cooking activities involve multiple senses – from smelling ingredients to feeling different textures and tasting the final product. This can be a delightful way for children to develop their sensory processing skills while bonding with their grandparents.
- Homemade Playdough: Making playdough is a fantastic way to engage multiple senses. Here’s a simple recipe:
- Ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 cups water, food colouring, essential oils
- Instructions:
- Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a large pot.
- Add water, oil, food colouring and perhaps an essential oil such as lavender.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the dough thickens and starts to pull away from the sides of the pot.
- Remove from heat and let it cool. Knead the dough until smooth.
Sensory Benefits: The process of mixing, kneading, and playing with the dough engages touch and proprioception (body sense), enhancing fine motor skills and hand strength.
- Cookie Cutter Fun: Use cookie cutters with playdough or homemade dough to create different shapes.
Sensory Benefits: This activity helps improve fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and visual form and space awareness.
- Spice Exploration: Let children smell and identify different spices.
Sensory Benefits: This enhances olfactory (smell) processing and can be a fun way to introduce new scents and tastes.
- Rice or Pasta Play: Fill a large bowl with uncooked rice or pasta and let children scoop, pour, and sort.
Sensory Benefits: This activity provides tactile stimulation (touch) and helps with developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Baking Together: Involve children in simple baking tasks like stirring, pouring, and kneading dough.
Sensory Benefits: Baking engages multiple senses, from the feel of the dough to the smell of the baking goods, and helps improve coordination and following instructions.
- Water Play: Let children play with water in the sink using various utensils like spoons, cups, and strainers.
Sensory Benefits: Water play helps children experience different textures and temperatures, which can be soothing and beneficial for sensory processing.
Tips for Working with Children with Sensory Integrative Disorders
- Follow the Child’s Lead: Pay attention to the child’s reactions and preferences. If an activity seems overwhelming, take a step back and try something simpler or less intense.
- Create a Sensory-Friendly Environment: Ensure the space is comfortable and free from potential sensory overloads, such as loud noises or bright lights.
- Be Patient and Positive: Encouragement and patience are key. Celebrate small achievements and make the activities enjoyable.
- Incorporate Routine: Regular sensory activities can provide a sense of security and help children anticipate and prepare for sensory experiences.
- Above all HAVE FUN. If the child is not showing signs of enjoyment , the activity is possibly not integrating.
Grandparents have a unique opportunity to support their grandchildren’s sensory development through these simple yet effective activities. By incorporating sensory play into daily routines, we can help foster a child’s sensory integration, leading to improved behaviour, attention, and overall well-being. The more I think about it the more I wonder if our grandchildren do not play an equally vital role in maintaining and regulating our sensory integration, leading to improved function and overall well-being. I am immensely grateful for the privilege of being a grandmother to three, well four in two weeks’ time, delightful charming and integrating grandsons.