If you’ve read my blogs previously, you might know that for the past two posts, I have discussed the power of the outdoors and the power of water. I’d like to add to this “power” list, if I may, by discussing the power of heavy work.
Now I’ll be the first to admit that I have not always had a ton of success getting my child to completely buy into doing a bunch of heavy work. But he does do some, and it definitely has helped him. Whether he believes it or not, the fact of the matter remains that heavy work provides a lot of deep pressure on his muscles which helps him with his sensory processing struggles, motor planning, and ability to focus.
And even though we struggle to get our heavy work done, I have heard tell of other people who have had good luck with such things. For example, I know a mom who often has her child such move a load of firewood across the yard before he comes in the house after school. And then on the next day, he moves it back to where it was.
I realize (and she does too) that it seems a little weird but he enjoys it…especially once he realized how much it helps him. I may be making a leap in my assumption, but in addition to the heavy work, this also gives him time to decompress, as well as gives him time outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine.
But for most of us, we probably want more typical (and maybe easier to sneak in) ideas. So here are a few I have put together for you, in no particular order:
- running
- playing catch (with a weighted ball is even better!)
- jumping on a trampoline
- playing hop-scotch
- jumping rope
- monkey bars
- climbing on playground equipment
- riding a bike
- riding a non-electric scooter
- swimming (going off a diving board is especially good, also diving to the bottom to collect dive toys or coins)
- shoveling snow
- digging in sand
- raking leaves
- doing pushups (on the ground or against the wall)
- carrying small hand weights or wearing leg weights
- carrying a heavy blanket
- watering plants with watering can
- carrying groceries
- pulling someone on a sled (obviously in the winter with snow would be easier, but a thick grassy area would also work)
- pulling a wagon
- pushing a stroller
- pushing a grocery cart
- vacuuming
- carrying a full laundry basket
- mopping
- sweeping
- stirring or kneading bread dough
- moving furniture
- rearranging books on shelves
- playing with play dough or putty
- wrestling (and I even hesitate to mention it because it could escalate a sensitive nervous system…so use your own judgement!)
There are many other ways to get your child some heavy work into their day; take a look around to see what things they already enjoy and capitalize on that.
I know it might seem like I’m adding to your already-busy plate by suggesting you add this in, but I want to encourage you that if your child struggles with knowing “where their body is in relationship to others”, making time for heavy work should become a priority. If you do, I would venture to guess that you will see that they don’t need to get that input by jumping off furniture and crashing into people.
Sincerely,
Kris