Eagerly awaiting the Academy Awards to announce the winners of the shiny and distinguished Oscars? As you count down the days till the Oscars try adding the following Hollywood inspired sensory activities to your daily routine with your kids. (Disclaimer- part of the films mentioned below are not suitable for young viewers.  Parental discretion is advised).

Heavy Work– “Unbroken”-    Louis “Louie” Zamperini  was forced to carry heavy loads of coal as one of the endless lists of hardships that befell him during his time in the Japanese P.O.W camp…..coal can get quite messy so why not have your kids carry your shopping bags for some calming and organizing sensory input.

Vestibular–  In “Wild” Cheryl, attempts to reclaim control of her life by undertaking a thousand-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. That might be too long of a time to spend in nature but next time you go out for a hike try rolling sideways down a hill with your kids for some fun vestibular input.

Oral– “Frozen” Although it wasn’t nominated this year it won two Academy Awards( for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song ) and is still one of the most popular film for kids (and some adults)…and a great way to stimulate the oral sense is by eating a popsicle – a FROZEN popsicle…

Jumping– Hollywood’s stars usually make their way gracefully down the red carpet (unless you’re Jennifer Lawrence J)..but there’s no reason why they couldn’t run or jump along the red carpet….Try racing inside a hoola hoop….or jumping on hula hoops lined up in a row on the floor….

Deep Pressure– And the Oscar Goes to…… for some quick deep pressure input pretend you are Oscar statues and wrap your kids in heavy blankets and keep still…the statue that remains still longest wins!

Visual– “American Sniper”-    Chris Kyle’s visual perception skills were honed as a child when he hunted deer…a good visual strategy for supporting kids who miss cues in everyday life is playing “I Spy” and pointing out stuff you see when going out on an outing… “I spy with my little eye something that begins with the letter “d” (no not a deer J)….a dime on the floor!

Olfactory– Do you ever watch foreign films? One of this year’s nominees is “Tangerine”- about a carpenter who decides to help his neighbor harvest his tangerine crop before the fighting Soviet Army reaches them…. Tangerines really do have a lovely fragrance. Try spritzing invigorating scents on shoulders before waking up kids with low registration.

Hearing– “Song of the Sea”, an animated film tells the story of Selkie, a mythical sea creature. To support kids with low registration try singing lively songs during bath time. 

Malky Shapira,d

Mother of two Terrific Toddlers

Pediatric Occupational Therapist