Ahh, yes the laundry. It plagues me to the point where last night Alec was out with friends and all I wanted to do was to curl up with a movie and a beer and fold laundry after the boys were in bed.
So, what’s the activity? Where’s the fun that makes mommy happy and keeps the kid busy? Well, if you can get your preschooler to load up your washing machine (even if it’s one sock at a time), and then load up the dryer, you will not only have a free hand to drink your coffee, but you are also helping their Proprioceptive Development!
Loading and unloading the washer and dryer is #27 of 99 sensory activities on MommyPoppins.com. This list was created by Occupational Therapist Casey Halper to help kids with sensory integration issues, but I find that it’s an excellent list to review when you’re in need of ideas to tucker out a revved-up child.
Sensory activities fall into different categories. Perhaps the most useful one for self-regulation is Proprioceptive Input. That’s a fancy word for “heavy work” that engages your joints. These activities make you feel grounded and can be calming for a high-running child or invigorating for a low-running kid.
Refer to this list and see what other heavy lifting you can get out of your three year old!
A couple weeks ago, I learned that Wedding Anniversary #4 is the “appliance anniversary” so I’m also pleased and slightly embarrassed to report that we got a new dryer and I Love It! Holden likes that he can watch things spin around and I like that the laundry basket now fits under the swinging door.
Many of the activities on the list of 99 were excerpted from Raising a Sensory Smart Child.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Amen! Around my house, I only fold and hang up the laundry now. My children are the ones who get to load and unload the washing machine and dryer. It’s sooooo great. Especially when I can sit and read blogs longer!
I totally agree with this one, too. I am 6.5 months pregnant, so bending over to get into our front loading washer and dryer is ridiculous. I have 2.5-year-old twins who are super excited to be big boys and help out mom. Their incentive for loading and unloading? Getting to press the buttons to get the machines started again.
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