There are countless ways to incorporate recreational therapy interventions at home.
Recreational therapy is based on the idea of increasing independence and the ability to function through participation in creative arts, dance, sports, puzzles, or games. When used at home, recreational therapy gives your child opportunities to engage in family activities while gaining independence, improving social and coping skills, strengthening communication and confidence, and so much more. There are countless ways to incorporate recreational therapy interventions at home. Here are just a few activities you can try with your child.
Take a Family Walk
Whether you go on a stroll around the neighborhood or do something more adventurous like visiting a national park, a change of scenery can work wonders for everyone. Social outings can help your child improve their planning skills and their ability to model appropriate behavior. Introducing your child to new environments will also teach them to self-regulate in over-stimulating situations.
Play a Game
The act of play is the best way to improve your child’s motor skills, teach them how to follow directions, encourage cooperation, and teach the importance of teamwork. Even more so, physical activity, board games, dancing, or even music therapy can help you create fun traditions and memories your family will cherish. Also, involving the whole family in recreational activities can influence your child to try new things that they may be hesitant to do alone.
Create a Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are a great way to encourage your child to explore their fine and gross motor skills and help ease their sensory sensitivities. You can fill a plastic container or bowl with any toys or items your child enjoys. Try filling your sensory bin with rice or sand and hide small stones, ribbons, gems, buttons, or stickers for your child to find.
Yoga
Yoga allows your child to build their strength and endurance by using their own body. The various yoga poses focus on overall balance, flexibility, and strength as kids move, bend, breathe, and hold the poses. Another benefit of yoga as a recreational therapy activity is that every pose has a version for different difficulty levels. Children can start with the easy version of each pose and continue with that for as long as they want. In addition, yoga has been shown to improve behavioral issues. If your child has a lot of built up energy or has trouble sitting still, yoga is a great way to release that extra energy.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (301) 577-4333. Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.