Heavy work or proprioceptive input activities involve heavy resistive input to the muscles and joints. These activities can be used to help children with sensory processing difficulties increase attention, decrease sensory defensiveness, and help modulate sensory arousal.
§ Have child carry stack of library books to return.
§ Have child help place chairs on desk at the end of the day, or take down at the beginning of the day
§ Have the child erase or wash chalkboard
§ Have the child help push and re-arrange desks in the classroom
§ Have the child help empty recycling and wastebaskets
§ Have the child help the gym teacher move mats
§ When carrying a book, have child carry book with both hands hugging the book to themself.
§ Have the child help pass out papers or objects to other class members
§ Have the child help wash desks or tables
§ Have the child push or carry lunch bin into the cafeteria
§ Use bean bags in the classroom, allow kids to use them during silent reading time, or to lay over or under them during independent work tasks.
§ Prior to seat work use hand exercisers, or pinch or pull theraputty.
§ Have student help move stacks of Xerox or construction paper
§ Make a push poster on a wall with two hands that says push here. Have the child push against the wall.
§ Have the child color on a large piece of paper or posterboard on the floor while on hands and knees.
§ Have the child do chair push ups while seated at their desk.
§ Fall or crash into bean bag.
§ Jumping or rolling games.
§ Simon Says for the whole class can offer movement breaks between lessons. Things like jumping jacks, push ups, etc.
§ Isometric Exercises
§ Have the child wear weighted vest. Wear vest for no longer than 20 minutes at a time.
§ Use a weighted lap pad during seated work.