How to Create a Great Sensory Space at Home

    A sensory room or corner is simply a safe and quiet place/space in your home for your child to go when they either need a break or need to self-regulate. This gives them a designated safe space collect themselves and work on self-regulating their behaviors.   Create a space that is safe and calming to your child:  You want to create a space that is not overly stimulating.  Work with your child to design a space they feel comfortable going to and include items that make their body feel safe and calm.   1. This can include: -a whole room -a tent -fort -simple corner within the bedroom or playroom.   2. Visually, it is best to have calming colors, low lighting, dim lamps or even string lights. 3.  Include comfortable seating like: -large pillows -bean bag chairs -a crash mat -a stuffed animal or blanket -weighted lap pads -blankets or vests   4.  If your child enjoys vestibular input, a hanging swing, a small trampoline or physioball is a good addition.   5.  To increase proprioceptive input you can: -add in a tunnel for crawling -use sensory break cards with exercises such as bear walks and wall push ups -use a weighted ball or laundry basket to push and pull -or other heavy work ideas   6.  Calming auditory input can include noise cancelling headphones or even soft, classical music.   7.  Chewy or crunchy snacks or chew rings/necklaces can create organizing oral input.   8.  Create a sensory calm down bottle as a timers, (i.e. when all the glitter settles, they can get up) or even a sensory bin (rice or bean bins, or water beads with small fidgets to find).     These are just a few items to get your calm down space started. If you feel your child needs occupational therapy, please call our office at 980-237-3132 or email office@acttherapyservices.com.  We can discuss additional recommended products and items based on your child’s sensory preferences.