When you are in the early intervention eco-system things can get quite stressful, especially if your little starts to show some interesting sensory seeking behavior. My son started to show a fascination with objects when he was 2. He used to pick up toys and moved them back and forth in his hands, while staring intensely at the movement. He would do this for 30+ minutes with a hole box of toys. This definitely got my attention.
Fortunately, his early intervention teacher told me this was completely normal behavior for his age and that it was just a sign that he needs visual stimulation. She suggested we try give him the stimulation he needs.
This is the activity she suggested.
*Some children have sensory processing disorder which means their brains have trouble receiving/responding to information coming through their senses. They may show sensory seeking or sensory avoiding behavior that it not typical for their age. If you think this may apply to your child then I would reach out to your child’s pediatrician for a professional opinion.
Supplies
- Printable Contrast Cards (click here)
- 2 Empty containers
- 1 Lid that fits a container
- Something to cut the lid with (scissors, knife, razor)
Set-up Instructions
Step 1: Print out the cards on regular paper + laminate OR print them out on card stock for durability. Cut them out.
Step 2: Cut a slit in the lid, large enough to fit one of the cards. Make sure there aren’t any sharp edges. I held a knife over a flame and held the knife to any edges to smooth them out. It looks ugly but it’s not sharp. Put the lid on one of the containers.
Step 3: Put all the cards into the container with no lid and set the container with a lid beside it.
How to use
My son loved to put things into other things so this activity was perfect for him. Many of the early intervention activities were set up this way so I’m assuming most toddlers like this as well.
To show him how to use this activity I simply took a card out of the open container, looked at the card, and placed it through the slit of the other container. He took it from there.
I gave him full access to this activity. He knew where it’s home was so he could grab it whenever he needed that visual sensory input.
After about a month he stopped almost all visual seeking behavior. He would still twirl something in his hands every once in a while but it would only be for 2 minutes or so and never to the intensity that it was before. This is a sign (to me at least) that the activity satisfied his visual needs!
Hope this helps you get the sensory stimulation your little needs!