Special Needs

[FREE] Overcoming Sensory Meltdowns & Signs of Sensory Overload

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: Sensory Processing Disorder, Special Needs This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

[Please scroll down for resources mentioned in this post.]

Do you wish others understood your child’s sensory meltdowns? Or, how about being able to see the signs of sensory overload before things got too crazy?

Yeah me, too.

Well, I am super excited to share with you not ONE but TWO FREE sensory resources for you.

Sensory Processing Disorder – Resources for Parents

#1 – Sensory Meltdowns vs. Tantrums

Some of you may already be familiar with sensory meltdowns or you may be wondering if what you thought was your child having epic tantrums may actually be an indication of something more.

If you’ve ever experienced your child having a sensory meltdown, then you know that part of the frustration that goes along with that is having to try to explain to others that meltdowns are not your child’s misbehaviour or attention-seeking ploy.

I’m excited to be able to share something with you today that I think is going to be a big help.

My friends Sharla and Heather (they’re the gals behind the book Sensory Processing Explained and the upcoming course Overcoming Sensory Meltdowns which I CANNOT wait to tell you about!!) have come out with a free cheat sheet that not only explains the difference between tantrums and sensory meltdowns, it can also be used to bridge conversations.

Use this cheatsheet for your own reference, or print it off for teachers, friends, and family members who may not understand your child’s reactions.

Help them to have more understanding not only for you as a parent, but for your child as well. Understanding is truly the first step towards opening up a dialogue that can lead to lasting change.

>> CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD

I can’t wait to share more about the new course, Overcoming Sensory Meltdowns next week! Stay tuned for all the details! Ok, onto the NEXT free resource.

Do you wish others understood your child’s sensory meltdowns? Or, how about being able to see the signs of sensory overload before things got too crazy?

#2 – Sensory Overload Signs

What are the signs of sensory overload?

Do your child’s behaviors sometimes baffle you? They may in part be because of something called sensory overload.

Sensory overload is when the body is unable to process, organize, and respond to all the incoming sensory input. Things we feel, taste, smell, see, hear, as well as our own movement or the movement of those around us, are always fighting to our attention. Most of us learn how to tune out or adapt to these distractions when we need to focus on something.

But for children with sensory processing challenges, they struggle to adapt. Their bodies respond by becoming overstimulated and overloaded with sensory input that their brain cannot recognize and adapt to.

What are the Signs of Sensory Overload?

For parents, it’s important to recognize the signs of sensory overload. Recognizing the signs will help you respond quickly before sensory meltdowns occur. Once you know the signs, you can step in to reduce sensory input and provide calm down strategies.

Once again, my friends Heather and Sharla of Sensory Processing Explained and the new Overcoming Sensory Meltdowns course, have put together a handy, one-page resource of sensory overload signs. This is a great aid to help you detect possible sensory processing overload signs in your child.

Help them to have more understanding not only for you as a parent, but for your child as well. Understanding is truly the first step towards opening up a dialogue that can lead to lasting change.

>> CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD

I can’t wait to share more about the new course Overcoming Sensory Meltdowns next week! Stay tuned for details.

More Sensory Processing Resources

Anxiety in Kids – What Parents Need to Know & How to Help

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: Anxiety In Kids, Special Needs Tagged With: Types of Therapy This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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Anxiety in kids is a lot more common than we adults acknowledge. So I decided to start writing a bit more about anxiety and how it manifests in kids' behavior. Believe it or not even toddlers and babies experience anxiety.

I have a child who suffers a great deal from anxiety. His anxiety manifests in OCD type behavior where he asks the same question again and again. It also shows up in explosive behavior at home. He has trouble sitting in any uncertain situation or in any lull of activity.

One important point is that a child's worries are not immediately recognized by an adult. A kid's view and experience in the world vary from an adult. So, understanding anxiety in kids requires us to recognize the signs and behaviors. Furthermore, it also requires us to shift our perspective.

Anxiety in Kids – What Parents Need to Know

Kids may worry about grades, fitting in at school, or soccer practice cancellation. My son worries about how to fill up his time. In other words, one of his favorite phrases is “I'm bored” when he feels this anxiety. Most kids recover by going ride a bike or building with legos. Yet, anxious kids can get stuck.

Most kids’ worries come and go. In other words, kids forget their fears as they find activities to fill the void. For example, a typical child may choose a board game, work on homework, or find a friend.

Child Anxiety Symptoms

The Harvard Health Blog writes“Anxious children may be clingy, startle easily, cry or have tantrums, sleep poorly, and have headaches or stomachaches. But anxiety is not all bad.”

I appreciate the last part of the quote. Anxiety often comes alongside extreme intelligence and creativity, or other positive attributes. Gifted children often struggle a great deal with anxiety.

Some children’s anxiety is more persistent. Distraction doesn't work for these kids. Their fears distract them from becoming engaged in life. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the anxiety that will not go away and has no clear source. When a child has suffered in this way for a period of six months or longer, he may have GAD.

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Children suffering from anxiety feel excessive worry not focussed on one trigger. Their worry may range from mild to debilitating. Also, they cannot tell that their worry is out of proportion to reality.

A combination of physical and environmental factors cause generalized anxiety. According to mayoclinic.com, the brain's balance of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine is the key to anxiety.

Genetic predisposition to anxiety can also lead to illness, as can trauma and stress. Usually, several factors work together to trigger the condition. A combination of psychotherapy and medication is the most effective treatment for sufferers of GAD.

You can take steps to help your child with her anxiety symptoms. Create a trigger list and come up with “go-to” solutions to help ease anxiety. For example, reading about kids with anxiety and meditation may help a child deal with these intense emotions. Click here for some amazing ways to meditate with kids.

With that said, a combination of professional treatment and work at home is the best approach. Helping your child maintain a stable and healthy lifestyle will help her emotions.

little boy tired exhausted stressed of reading, doing homework

How to Help a Child with Anxiety

Adequate sleep is crucial for regulating anxiety. Stabilizing your child’s blood sugar levels can also help. Frequent small meals with limited sugar and adequate protein is the key. Exercise will help your child burn off excess adrenaline and calm his body.

Your response to your child’s anxiety can also help her cope with her disorder. Remember that she has little control over her worry and that she cannot “stop.” Understand that learning new patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving will take time.

Take your child’s expressed emotions at face-value. She is feeling a strong emotion, not dramatizing or manipulating. Confirm and acknowledge the intense emotions. Consider asking questions about how she feels, physically and emotionally, at that moment.

Generalized anxiety disorder is a heavy burden for a child to carry. With professional help and support, that burden will lift and a child can learn to experience a typical childhood.

More about Anxiety in Kids

Learn the BEST Proprioception Activities for Kids

By Nicole Connolly Leave a Comment Filed Under: Sensory Processing Disorder Tagged With: Special Needs This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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If Occupational Therapy 101 For Parents was my campaign platform, I must hold true to the single promise that I made in its conclusion: to provide my readers with some useful nuggets – proprioception activities for kids – to try at home.

The challenge with this endeavor is offering advice that can be universally applied to children who are delayed in skill acquisition, or in need of help to simply have a happier existence.

The Basic Five Senses

Everyone knows the basic five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. These senses give awareness of surroundings and fall under the umbrella of the Nervous System. Their historic significance has been allowing living creatures to detect and avoid danger.

Imagine being a hungry caveperson taking a bite of a rotten animal carcass. Bleck.

Imagine waking up in a teepee or wooden hut and smelling or seeing smoke nearby.

Imagine walking along a trail and hearing a snake rattle. What would you do? React, of course.

Sensory experiences are also the main source of daily pleasures: smelling roses, tasting good wine, butterfly kisses.

Are you smarter than a kindergartener?

Whereas the main five senses help one to understand what’s “out there”, there are other sensory systems that help one to understand the body itself. This information is definitely more abstract, which is probably why kids don’t learn it in kindergarten… yet. Our kids will inevitably know more than us about technology, so let me at least help you stay ahead of them on this front.

Hidden Senses – Proprioception Activities for Kids

Three additional sensory systems impact the way we perceive and act.

Let me explain:

Proprioception

With receptors located in the joints and muscles, this sensory system gives information about body positioning in space. It allows you to make a predictable foul shot in basketball, find a light switch in the dark, run up a set of stairs, and apply mascara without stabbing yourself in the eyeball. Input comes from deep pressure (pushing) or traction (pulling) on the joints. The effect is like outlining a picture with a black marker or drawing a box around an important note. It provides clarity, organization, and security. Proprioceptive input is extremely effective in helping to achieve a regulated arousal state. More on that, later!

Vestibular

The vestibular system is responsible for processing movement. It can alert you to reach your arms outward if you trip and start to fall. It can alert you to tighten your abs or your grip on your handlebars when you suddenly accelerate on a bike. It can tell you
when an airplane is making a turn or starting its descent.

Interoception

This system was the most recent to be defined. It is the system that interprets physiological body functions, like hunger, thirst, and the need to use the bathroom. Therapists are starting to learn strategies to support a dysfunctional
the interoceptive system, but, for most, it is still a work in progress.

How do these systems support learning?

There are two main reasons that sensory systems are important in learning:

They give information about the traits and properties of things to add personal meaning
and relevance and
The right combination of sensory experiences balance the nervous system so that the
body and brain are ready for learning.

You know what? Read #2 again. I will explain nervous system regulation in more detail another
time, but for the purpose of this post, just understand #2.

The Magic Wand

Parents who have kids with special needs, identified or not, crave to have a little magic up their sleeves, right? Abracadabra, make my kid stop moving! Alakazam, make my kid focus! Make my kid stay on his feet! Make my kid understand! Make my kid calm down! Make my kid feel motivated!

Okay, so there is no magic wand (sorry…), but if you’re stuck or stumped or stressed, you almost can’t go wrong with proprioceptive input. In the world of sensory processing, there are things that can stimulate and things that settle. There are things that alert and things that calm.

When you choose proprioception, you can get the desired effect no matter what!

Proprioception Activities for Kids

Okay. The three BEST areas for Proprioception activities for kids are the following:

Heavy work chores (no need to feel guilty!) such s carrying laundry, unloading the dishwasher,
vacuuming carpets, sweeping the driveway
Outside play such as climbing trees, running across the yard, using sidewalk chalk, riding a
bicycle, swimming, jumping on a trampoline
Basic exercises such as push-ups, wall pushes (literally), squats, sit-ups, handstands
Kitchen tasks such as mixing the dough, cutting vegetables, pouring milk, wiping counters

None of us has all the answers, and, unfortunately, there is no magic wand to resolve our woes. But if we keep open minds and integrate small bits of new learning into our daily practices, we can have a big impact on how our kids see themselves and the great big world around them.

Today’s learning: the power to proprioception!

The Ultimate Resource for Parents & Teachers Raising Sensory Kids

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: Sensory Processing Disorder This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

[Please scroll down for resources mentioned in this post.]

“It is a no brainer,” my husband said to me as we scrolled through this year's limited time Super-Sensory Bundle offer, “Over $1000 worth of resources for less than $40? Yeah, I'm in.”

I didn't say anything, just nodded, and clicked on the Gain Instant Access button. Boom.

I wasn't sure I was going to buy the bundle this year. You see, I have been an author and buyer of this bundle for the past two years and thought, “What else could I possibly need to help guide my sons?”

Well, let me tell you…A LOT. This bundle opened my eyes to the range of challenges facing kids these days. And this bundle?
The resources give me assurance, tools, tactics, knowledge, confidence, and the feeling that I am in control, that I've got this…

As a mom to two children with extreme sensory challenges, this bundle offers me solutions. For example, this year, a psychiatrist identified our twice exceptional son as having heightened anxiety, which manifests in explosive behavior. So, when I saw that Shawna Wingert's course Parenting Chaos: Practical Support and Encouragement for Parents of Explosive Children was part of the bundle, I nearly fell out of my chair. That course ALONE is worth the price of the bundle.

Gifted Brains

Then beyond that course, I found Colleen Kessler's workshops on gifted and twice-exceptional kids: Helping Your Kids Through Anxiety, Overexcitabilities, Underachievement, & More. Again, worth the cost of the bundle alone. AND then How to Handle Sensory-Based Anxiety by Natasha Daniels.

At this point in my journey, I am into absorbing as much information as possible. Therefore, I will know how to guide my sons. With that said, no matter where you are on your sensory journey, there is something in this bundle for you.

What is Sensory Processing & Does My Child Have Issues?

If you are just beginning your journey, there is a whole section of resources on Understanding and Advocating for Your Child's Sensory Needs.

What tools can I use to help a wide range of sensory kids?

If you need sensory tools for your home or classroom, check out the section Sensory Breaks, Activities, & Tools to Regulate and Calm High-Energy Kids. For example, this section includes tools such as sensory break and mindfulness exercise cards.

Another area of resources that I am digging into today is Seth Perler's $99 course on Executive Function for Parents & Teachers, a struggle my two oldest sons struggle with for different reasons. Seth offers specific tactics and systems to help kids work on these vital life skills. I learned a great deal from Seth at a conference this past spring. As a result, I can't wait to dig into more of his material.

Definitely click on over to learn more about this year's remarkable Super Sensory Bundle. This resource is available for a limited time ONLY.

To learn more about our sensory processing journey, check out the below articles:

[Free Printable] 12 Brilliant Chore Charts Ideas to Establish Daily Routines for Kids

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: Executive Functioning, Parenting Tagged With: Chores and Routines, Home Organization This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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Chore Charts for kids are an important addition to any home. To make my point, have you looked on Amazon lately? You will find dozens of pages of routine charts will pop up. It is shocking but not.

Parents are eager to find a way to implement routine in their every day lives. Plus a daily routine for kids is necessary to thrive in life, and visual charts help to achieve that goal. This post includes printable chore & routine chart ideas for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners.

(Don’t worry I got your back.)

Who has searched for ways to make life a bit more simple?

(Raises hand.)

Plus the research is in – chores and routine are good for kids. Kind of common sense but it’s definitely nice to have the research to back up those feelings. Chore charts teach kids responsibility and important life skills. The best part about this list of chore charts is that you can easily adapt them to the whole family.

Growing up, we did not have a fancy chore chart or routine cards. Looking back, I would have appreciated a visual schedule of my duties around our home.

Somehow my mom made it work.

We completed chores, earned a small allowance, and handled our daily routines as best we could. Motivating kids is tricky. Be careful with giving kids rewards such as sticker charts and other goodies! You want the motivation to come from working hard and taking care of themselves.

Kudos to my mom's amazing stuff. Now, as a parent, I realize how difficult achieving a routine and chore system is. So, I’ll take all the help and use all the tools on which I can get my hands!

Why is Routine So Important?

I love the perspective from Lauren at Military Mom & Wife found within her article Boundaries, Routines, and Early Bedtimes: 13 Habits That Raise Well-Adjusted Kids:

“There’s so much of childhood that is new and challenging for kids. Learning self-control and empathy. Learning how to be a friend and interact with others. These are all very BIG things for kids. Using something as simple as these printable routine cards can help kids feel grounded and relaxed. In fact, knowing what to expect at mealtimes, mornings and bedtimes can bring a sense of relief to even the most carefree child.”

Why are Chores So Important?

Children are capable of so much. However, in today's busy world with overscheduled kids and parents with little to no capacity, adults often forgo that important fundamental fact. Furthermore, as we Montessorians know, giving kids responsibility and ownership develops confidence and independence, which leads to resilience, purpose, and focus. ‘

Yes, I know, I know, sometimes it is “just easier” to do the household work and not give the kids an opportunity to prove themselves. Let's make a pact. Let's stop rushing our kids and start giving them the space to do well and to mess up! Remember failure is key to truly learning and succeeding in so many areas of life!

Let me tell you this piece of information, first: there are a million and one ways exist to create a daily chore & routine for kids. I think a lot about this topic from a big-picture perspective.

I added a few ideas to chew on at the end of this post.

I work on our routine every day.

So, you can trust me, these daily routine charts for kids are the best out there. Your job is to find the best routine, whether it includes a chart or not, that works for your family. I found these amazing daily routine charts on a quest for my family. I thought you might be interested.

Why do you need kids charts?

My sons are 5 and 3.5 years old. So, these daily routine charts are fully vetted for the toddler, preschooler, and elementary-aged child in your life! I have never been great at establishing a daily routine. I have always been stuck between “going with the flow” and planning beyond necessity.

Over time I have come to realize that much like a Montessori classroom, at home we must provide a well-planned environment. There must be boundaries and structure, yes, but with a lot of freedom within those boundaries. Giving your child ownership of his responsibilities in the house is key. Telling a child he must do x, or clean up y, will not be nearly as effective.

You might want to start here: Toddler Bedtime Routine Charts

So, finding a routine and chore system that works for your family is the way to go. Now that we have three young children we see the crucial benefit of establishing a routine and, maybe even more importantly, slowing down. Kids chores are a part of that shift.

So, with that introduction, I have been doing a bit of research and, of course, I must share that research with you! Below are the BEST Routine & Chore Chart Ideas for Kids. Now, which one(s) shall we use? I’ll soon let you know!

12 Amazing Daily Routine & Chore Charts for Kids

Modern Routine for Toddlers from Dandee Designs

I appreciate the simplicity of the design of this printable chore template. As a result, the child will not be (as) overwhelmed using the simple icons and calm colors, which is perfect for the morning routine and evening routine.

Printable Routines from Life Your Way

The use of visuals is extremely important in my family. For example, these daily routine templates print nicely and are a great start for little ones.

DIY Daily Routine Chart for Kids from Listening in the Litany

Such a cool way to get kids involved using their little hands. The simple labels and ease of use with this routine chart is a big plus. In my home, we have to be flexible and this tool allows us to be flexible.

Routine Chart from Keeping Life Creative

The flexibility of this approach is a major bonus. Using a dry erase board and visuals that can be moved around is practical and realistic. Plus it gets kids involved in their day.

Routine Chart with Real Images from Curious Minds, Pure Hearts

This DIY chore chart is too adorable. What a wonderful approach for introducing young children to a routine. Including the child in the image is brilliant as kids relate to, well, themselves! Kids will be determined to complete their chores!

Creative Chore Charts from Workman Family

This chart is so smart with the chores listed simply & visually appealing. In addition, I love the “flip over when you’re done” aspect to the routine chart.

Morning and Afternoon Routine Cards from Living Locurto

Such a cute set of routine cards, I couldn’t resist. The design is approachable and kids won’t be overwhelmed with it.

Photo Flip Chart from Honey and Hope

The use of real photos is key because kids can relate to real images much more than clip art!

Simple Routine Flip Chart from My Name is Snickerdoodle

Not only will the child get involved in this routine chart, he just might learn a bit of language too. You see connecting the visual with the words is smart because having the element of surprise with pulling down the velcro is the perfect way to hook a child.

Visual Schedule from Weeds to Wishes

This visual chart is too pretty not to check out. Plus the use of the clothespins is a great way to involve the child and include a bit of flexibility in the schedule.

Morning and Bedtime Routine Charts from I Heart Organizing

I love the colors in these charts. The language and the colors are inviting and fun to kids and adults!

I am adding this amazing routine chart to this list recently discovered from Childhood 101. Why? Because of its simplicity and combines teaching kids about money!

Helpful Resources for Routine & Chore Charts

The 7 Most Beautiful & Easy to Use Toddler Bedtime Routine Charts

By Marnie Craycroft Leave a Comment Filed Under: At Home, Executive Functioning Tagged With: Chores and Routines, Home Organization This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for more info.

[Please scroll down for resources mentioned in this post.]

This post includes the BEST toddler bedtime routine charts. I spent months researching and scouring the internet and beyond to find the most beautiful and most effective toddler bedtime routine charts out there! Why? Because establishing a routine is ridiculously important to child development and your family mental health.

Lauren Tamm of Military Mom and Wife and parenting expert emphasizes in her viral article Boundaries, Routines, and Early Bedtimes: 13 Habits That Raise Well-Adjusted Kids that:

There’s so much of childhood that is new and challenging for kids. Learning self-control and empathy. Learning how to be a friend and interact with others. These are all very BIG things for kids. Using something as simple as printable routine cards can help kids feel grounded and relaxed. In fact, knowing what to expect at mealtimes, mornings and bedtimes can bring a sense of relief to even the most carefree child.

Toddler Bedtime Routine Charts

Custom Personalized Kid Routine Checklist

The author of this best selling bedtime routine checklist makes it easy to customize for your child and your family. She designs the product with cute and simple visual icons to make it easy for a toddler to follow.

Toddler Evening Routine Checklist

The design of this checklist is straightforward and easy on the eye. The illustrations are colorful and simple. This checklist won't overwhelm you or your toddler.

Bedtime Routine Checklist for a Boy

I like the active voice in this checklist letting a child know that it is time to take action on his routine. Plus the colors remind me of superheroes and who doesn't love to think about superheroes especially when tackling an evening routine?

Printable Toddler Bedtime Routine Cards

By the same author a few checklists up, I chose to display this product because of the format. Having cards allows the parent variations on how to use. For example, you could laminate the cards, put velcro on the back, use clips, and so on. There are a variety of ways to implement these handy routine cards into your nighttime system.

Sensory Processing Disorder – Resources for Parents

#1 – Sensory Meltdowns vs. Tantrums

>> CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD

#2 – Sensory Overload Signs

What are the signs of sensory overload?

What are the Signs of Sensory Overload?

>> CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD

More Sensory Processing Resources

Anxiety in Kids – What Parents Need to Know

Child Anxiety Symptoms

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

How to Help a Child with Anxiety

More about Anxiety in Kids

The Basic Five Senses

Are you smarter than a kindergartener?

Hidden Senses – Proprioception Activities for Kids

Proprioception

Vestibular

Interoception

How do these systems support learning?

The Magic Wand

Proprioception Activities for Kids

Gifted Brains

What is Sensory Processing & Does My Child Have Issues?

What tools can I use to help a wide range of sensory kids?

Why is Routine So Important?

Why are Chores So Important?

Why do you need kids charts?

12 Amazing Daily Routine & Chore Charts for Kids

Modern Routine for Toddlers from Dandee Designs

Printable Routines from Life Your Way

DIY Daily Routine Chart for Kids from Listening in the Litany

Routine Chart from Keeping Life Creative

Routine Chart with Real Images from Curious Minds, Pure Hearts

Creative Chore Charts from Workman Family

Morning and Afternoon Routine Cards from Living Locurto

Photo Flip Chart from Honey and Hope

Simple Routine Flip Chart from My Name is Snickerdoodle

Visual Schedule from Weeds to Wishes

Morning and Bedtime Routine Charts from I Heart Organizing

Helpful Resources for Routine & Chore Charts

Related Reads

Toddler Bedtime Routine Charts