Homeschooling a Child with Sensory Issues: Movement Strategies

If your child has been in occupational therapy for sensory processing disorder (SPD), chances are you have been told that movement is very important to help regulate your child’s nervous system. 

If you homeschool your child, there are non-stressful ways to include movement during your school day. After all, a healthy dose of movement will help fulfill and maintain your child’s sensory diet. A more regulated nervous system will benefit the entire family. Not to mention, additional movement can help make the school day more enjoyable for all. 

Here are four ways to incorporate movement during your homeschool day. If you’d like to learn more about SPD, make sure you download your free guide here: 

1. Use brief “hidden movement”

When necessary, you can have your child run around your backyard during the school day. However, it is possible that your child will start to correlate their “hyper or unfocused school behavior” with having to go outside. This may take the fun out of otherwise healthy play.

Instead, to help your child focus, brief hidden movements can be utilized. This type of movement can be used proactively when you know your child is about to have a difficult subject or reactively if your child is becoming frustrated. 

Examples of “hidden movement”

You can say to your child, “You know what, let’s take a break! We could all benefit from a short break. Let’s take a minute and do something that is not school-related.” Then, have your child:

• Run outside to get the mail
• Take out the trash
• Move something around in the house that you have saved specifically for your child to help with during break time
• Play with the dog for a short time
• Run to the junk drawer (or their room) and grab something while you quickly think of a way to use that specific item in your lesson

These bursts of movement, though brief, can still help with sensory regulation.

2. Use planned movement during a lesson

No matter the age of your child, think through their interests and see how you can incorporate some amount of movement – especially in a subject that is harder for your child.

For a younger child who is learning phonics, you can write practice words on index cards and hide them in different rooms. You can have your child skip from room to room playing “hide and seek” with the practice cards and then have them read them aloud.

For an older child practicing spelling words or stating the order of operations for math problems, you can have them kick a soccer ball back and forth with you while practicing the material.

The type of movement, for whatever school subject, does not matter. Allowing your child to move and have fun during the learning process, plus learning to self-regulate, are big wins for the school day.

3. Allow any unplanned movement breaks to take priority

If your child is dysregulated, effective learning will not take place! Sometimes, learning must be put on hold for the sake of your child, who requires a much-needed movement break. 

An unplanned fifteen-minute swinging break will benefit your child far more than forcing the last subject on them before your planned break time. Meeting your child’s sensory needs must be a top priority.

Letting your child dribble the basketball or ride a bike will benefit them in the long run in order to finish out their school day in a more regulated state. As frustrating as it can be on your schedule, allowing an unplanned movement break can be like striking true educational gold.

4. Recognize that unplanned movement during a lesson is okay

This point is different from scheduled movement breaks. Here, we are referring to unplanned movements that your child may exhibit during lesson time.

Does your child struggle to sit still? Do they rock in their chair, feel the urge to build something, or roll on the floor during what is otherwise a calm lesson? Recognize that these spontaneous movements are okay.

Many children can still listen and focus on your words, even when moving or fidgeting. As long as your child is able to answer your questions and they are not distracted or preventing other necessary things from happening in your homeschool day, this general movement is okay.

Overall, the movement helps your child’s nervous system stay more regulated.

Incorporating movement into homeschooling

Movement is your homeschooling “friend.” Whether you incorporate movement proactively or reactively, movement will benefit your child and homeschool day greatly.

Have fun, and participate in movement along the way, too. Happy memories can be made while homeschooling your child. Sure, there will be frustrating times, but meeting their sensory needs can more easily set up your little one for their level of educational success. 

This article first appeared in Issue 154 — Soothing Sensory Needs

FAQs

Q: What is the biggest challenge of homeschooling?

A: The biggest challenge of homeschooling is often balancing the educational needs of the child with the demands on the parent’s time and resources. It requires careful planning and adaptability to ensure a well-rounded education.

Q: What is the best homeschool curriculum for autism? 

A: The best homeschool curriculum for autism is one that is individualized and tailored to the child’s specific needs, preferences, and learning style. Programs that offer structured routines, visual supports, and flexibility are often highly effective.

Q: Can I teach my autistic child at home?

A: Yes, you can teach your autistic child at home if you create a supportive and accommodating learning environment that caters to their unique needs. It’s important to use resources and strategies that align with their learning style and provide consistent, structured support.

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