Your Therapy Source Magazine for Pediatric Therapists July 2016 | Page 29

Now you are ready to use the stress balls. Since these provide a heavier tactile input that your typical stress ball some children may dislike the feeling. Some children may crave it. Here are some suggestions: 1. stress ball – use it to relieve stress by squeezing it. 2. fidget – keep the hands busy so you can sit still squish and squeeze the ball (it is a little noisy). 3. warm ups before handwriting – rub this between your hands to wake up the small muscles and get them ready to write. 4. foot massage – place it under your foot and roll it back and forth to work out any small muscle cramps in the foot (alert – this is some serious sensory input). 5. coordination skills – these make excellent juggling balls. The garbanzo bean balls are a nice weight providing some extra input to catch and toss. 6. challenge your balance – try to stand on one foot and roll it back and forth. Kick it to a friend. Need more ideas for sensory breaks, stress relief and tactile input? Check out the Sensational Brain membership for creating effective sensory diets. www.YourTherapySource.com