How To Homeschool The Tactile Movement Oriented And Sensory Seeking Ch

Whether your child is tactile, movement-oriented, sensory-seeking, or a combination, the following methods will help you teach your kinesthetic learner. In a classroom setting, highly kinesthetic or sensory-seeking children are notoriously difficult to teach because they have a deep-rooted need to perform actions generally considered distracting for the rest of the classroom. Those actions involve moving and touching, and they don’t learn as well without this sensory stimulation. Naturally, this situation can be hard for parents and teachers who just want their child to sit still and do the work. For these kids, though, sitting still actually makes it harder to pay attention. Limiting their movement hinders their ability to process what they are learning.

As homeschool parents, we are blessed with the opportunity to teach kinesthetic learners outside the limitations of the classroom, and apply unique techniques to help our kinesthetic learners become great students. Kinesthetic learners can be broken down into three main categories. For many parents, caregivers, and educators, navigating a child’s intense energy or seemingly impulsive need to touch, move, or make noise can feel confusing or even overwhelming. However, these behaviors often stem from a very real and neurologically driven need for sensory input. A sensory seeking child isn’t misbehaving—they are attempting to regulate their nervous system. These children actively seek out more stimulation because their brains are wired to require more input to feel “just right.” Understanding this behavior through a compassionate and informed lens not only builds emotional connection...

Sensory seeking is a pattern of behavior where a child craves excessive sensory input to help their body feel regulated. Unlike sensory avoiders—who become overwhelmed by input—sensory seekers thrive on stimulation. This behavior is often rooted in how the child’s nervous system processes input across multiple sensory channels, including touch, movement, sound, and even internal bodily awareness. You might recognize sensory seeking in behaviors such as: Parenting a child with sensory processing disorder can be both rewarding and challenging, especially when they exhibit sensory seeking behavior. Sensory seekers, often characterized by a high neurological threshold, crave intense sensory input for children to feel regulated and engaged.

These children may constantly move, touch, or explore their environment in ways that seem overwhelming or disruptive. Understanding sensory craving and implementing sensory seeker activities can significantly help your child thrive. At teachsprout.com, the leading educational resource for parents and children, we provide practical sensory processing strategies and sensory seeker parenting tips to support families. This article explores 10 sensory-rich activities designed to meet the needs of sensory seeking toddlers and children, incorporating vestibular input activities, proprioceptive activities, and calming sensory activities. Each activity includes detailed guidance, checklists, and sensory regulation techniques to create an effective sensory diet for your child. Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a condition where the brain struggles to process sensory input for children, leading to challenges in responding appropriately to sensory stimuli.

Sensory seeking behavior, a subtype of sensory modulation disorder, occurs when a child craves more sensory stimulation than their peers to feel “satiated.” This sensory craving can manifest as constant movement, touching objects, or... Children with sensory seeking behavior often have a higher sensory threshold, requiring more intense or frequent sensory input to register sensations. For example, a sensory seeker might jump on furniture, spin in circles, or seek loud noises to fulfill their sensory needs. These behaviors are not just hyperactivity; they are purposeful attempts to regulate their nervous system. Sensory activities for autism and other neurodivergent conditions often overlap with sensory seeker activities, as many children with autism exhibit sensory seeking tendencies. Sensory seekers are driven to obtain sensory stimulation, but this input can sometimes lead to disorganization rather than satisfaction.

A structured sensory diet can help channel this energy into productive, calming activities. Are you looking for ways to make learning more effective and engaging for your child, especially if they’re neurodivergent or have ADHD? Tactile learning might be the key. This hands-on approach to education is particularly beneficial for kids who thrive on physical interaction and movement. Whether you’re homeschooling or supplementing traditional education, incorporating tactile activities can significantly boost your child’s understanding and retention of new concepts. From science experiments to creative art projects, tactile learning strategies can turn education into an exciting and immersive experience.

Let’s explore practical ideas tailored to help your neurodivergent child not just learn but enjoy the process. Tactile learning is more than just a fancy term. It’s about understanding the world through touch and hands-on experiences. This type of learning is natural for children, especially those who are neurodivergent or have ADHD. It helps them connect what they learn to real-world experiences, making education enjoyable and memorable. Tactile learning involves using touch to explore and understand new concepts.

This approach engages students actively and directly through physical activities rather than traditional lectures or reading alone. It’s like learning to play a musical instrument by actually playing it rather than just reading about it. Tactile learning plays a pivotal role in child development. Here’s how: Incorporating tactile learning in education, especially for homeschooling, can be greatly beneficial: Individualized learning is a wonderful benefit of homeschooling, but sensory processing difficulties can bring their own unique set of challenges.

Whether your child struggles with noise, textures, or overwhelming environments, these sensory challenges can impact their ability to focus and learn. Understanding sensory processing issues, along with implementing practical strategies for your homeschool day, can make a world of difference for both you and your child. Occupational therapist and homeschool mom Sarah Collins and I discussed how sensory processing affects learning at home and shared actionable tips to create a more supportive environment for your child’s (and your own) unique... Use coupon code humilityanddoxology to get Sensory Regulation Ideas for Parents for FREE. {This post contains paid links. Please see disclaimer.}

Sarah Collins, an experienced occupational therapist and homeschooling mom, shares the journey that led her to both homeschooling and blending her OT expertise into her current work with families. With a daughter in 11th grade, a 13-year-old son, and a 9-year-old, Sarah has been homeschooling since her oldest was eight. The decision to homeschool came unexpectedly after a move, but what truly sparked Sarah’s interest was seeing a homeschooling mom in a client’s home. Initially skeptical about homeschooling, Sarah soon realized its beauty and potential for her own family. Her path to combining OT and homeschooling began after receiving encouragement from a teacher at a continuing education class and a friend, leading to the creation of Homeschool OT. Reflecting on the journey, Sarah recognizes how her diverse experiences in both pediatric and adult therapy have shaped her ability to serve the homeschooling community today.

What began as a series of unexpected events has turned into a fulfilling career combining her passions for occupational therapy and homeschooling. Sarah shares that as her children grow older, she’s increasingly appreciating the unique opportunities homeschooling offers. While she enjoyed the flexibility of homeschooling in the early years, especially living near Philadelphia with access to museums and cultural experiences, it’s the high school years that have become her favorite. As her kids’ interests and passions have become clearer, Sarah can tailor their education to align with their goals. For example, her daughter is considering a career in healthcare, so Sarah has incorporated books from various disability communities into her language arts curriculum, allowing for rich, meaningful discussions. This personalized approach to education is Sarah’s favorite part of homeschooling, as it allows her to dive deep into her children’s unique interests and provide them with a well-rounded education that extends beyond textbooks.

The ability to nurture their strengths, support their weaknesses, and explore life as their whole education is a priceless advantage of homeschooling for Sarah. The world of Tactile Sensory Activities offers exciting, hands-on ways to support sensory development while having fun. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, incorporating easy sensory activities into your routine can inspire curiosity and learn through the wonder of touch. These activities are particularly valuable for children or individuals with sensory needs. They help refine tactile processing skills, encourage exploration, and promote emotional regulation through physical experiences. Engaging with textures, temperatures, and shapes can boost confidence, connect participants with their environment, and help them better understand their surroundings.

This post is bursting with fun, interactive, and beneficial ideas you can try at home or in structured settings. From texture-rich sensory bins to soothing tactile crafts, there’s something for everyone. Get ready to harness the power of touch to foster connection, growth, and creativity! In our neurodiverse (ND) household, being mindful of everyone’s (children and adults!) sensory needs is a daily priority. Recognizing and addressing these needs fosters a conducive learning environment and supports our children's overall well-being. wooble stool + headphones and another child in the background with kinetic sand

Sensory needs refer to how individuals perceive and respond to sensory information from their environment, including what they see, hear, feel, smell, and taste. And, despite what we were all taught in elementary school, there are actually more than 5 senses, there are 8! Each child processes these sensations uniquely; some may seek out specific sensory experiences, while others might find them overwhelming. Understanding these differences is crucial in creating supportive strategies tailored to each child's needs. Given the diverse sensory profiles in our family, we've integrated various tools and strategies to help our children self-regulate and engage effectively in their daily activities. I have spent a ridiculous amount of time and energy diving into the world of sensory integration and needs.

Some of the resources that we have found helpful include: The Whole Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. In a classroom setting, highly kinesthetic or sensory-seeking children are notoriously difficult to teach because they have a deep-rooted need to perform actions generally considered distracting for the rest of the classroom. Those actions involve moving and touching, and they don’t learn as well without this sensory stimulation. Naturally, this situation can be hard for parents and teachers who just want their child to sit still and do the work.

For these kids, though, sitting still actually makes it harder to pay attention. Limiting their movement hinders their ability to process what they are learning. As homeschool parents, we are blessed with the opportunity to teach kinesthetic learners outside the limitations of the classroom, and apply unique techniques to help our kinesthetic learners become great students. Kinesthetic learners can be broken down into three main categories. Tactile learners need to touch and feel things as they learn. Feeling a flower as they learn about science would be more valuable to them than seeing a picture of a flower.

Holding a baby bird would provide additional learning that a tactile student couldn’t get merely by looking at it. Learn 10 practical ways to support your sensory seeker at home. Discover simple, occupational therapist-approved strategies to help your child regulate, thrive, and feel more confident every day. Coral Care content is reviewed and approved by our clinical professionals so you you know you're getting verified advice. Our free screener offers guidance and connects you with the right providers to support your child's journey. If you have a child who’s constantly on the move—jumping, crashing, spinning—you might have a sensory seeker on your hands.

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