The beach: sensory haven or nightmare?

The blowing wind and sea sand… stimulate the touch sensors
The sound of the sea, waves and people… stimulate the hearing sensors
The smells of the sea, suntan lotion, kelp… stimulate the smell sensors
Put this all together for a sensory root (the super-sensitive souls in our lives)…
The result… sensory overload, crying, whining, tantrums… you know the rest

Remember the following, it might just save you from wanting to pack up and go home:
* Go to the beach early in the morning, it is quieter, your child is rested, can cope with more and it is usually less windy.
* Dress your child in a tight hat and tight-fitting swimming gear, the deep pressure is often calming. It will also reduce the feeling of the wind blowing on the child’s skin.
* When using suntan lotion, don’t put it directly on your child’s skin! First, put it in your hand, rub between your palms and smear it on your child’s body using firm strokes.
* The use of a beach mat to sit on if your child is too aversive to the sand is OK.
* Playing in wet sand will potentially be better than dry sand: wet sand will be “harder” to move and let the child use more muscle work versus dry sand which is light and ticklish. Heavy, muscle work is calming; therefore take out the spades, buckets and sand toys.
* Chewing gum is a huge relief…I know what some of you are thinking now…but give it a try. It has less potential to get full of sand (hopefully it stays within the mouth) and the chewing of the mouth muscles will calm your child and reduce feelings of overload.
* Using earphones with music can be magical in filtering out all the background noise. Although it has potential for anti-social behavior, use it as a last resort when things just get too overloaded and out-of-control.
* A quiet time mid-day will help the child to feel calmer for the rest of the afternoon and early evening. If they don’t want to sleep, put a calming playlist on, and add the headphones… coming from the Number 1 anti-TV supporter…I know, we all have to break the rules sometimes… just CONTROL the time spent on these activities.
* Pre-warn your child about what is going to happen! It ALWAYS makes it easier for them to anticipate the next step.
* Above all: have fun, laugh, don’t fret the small stuff and relax!

PS. Sensory stuff is useful for both children and adults…

Reducing sensory overload for moms, babies and toddlers

For mothers with small babies:
* Rest when your baby sleeps. You need it, deserve it and will be a better mother as a result!* Take time out to de-stress: read, watch a movie, shop, go for a massage, etc. And do not feel guilty; raising children is a demanding task, you need and deserve me-time!
* Don’t try to be perfect and do it all. It is OK to delegate; use granny, get a babysitter, full-time housekeeper, use a friend, and use DAD!
* Create a quiet and calming space within your home where you can go and “hide” when necessary…
* Love your children, be consistent and do your best! Perfection is impossible and un-obtainable when raising children.

 For babies:
* Don’t wear perfume and/or perfumed lotions. Chemical smells can easily overload babies and result in fussing and crying.
* Establish a routine for feeding, sleeping and playing. It helps babies to feel calm, safe and secure. It will also help you to cope with your baby’s demands.
* Do not play too much and/or give your baby too much toys at the same time. They get overloaded quickly and need short periods of stimulation. Today we tend to overload rather than under-stimulate children.
* Snugly wrap your baby in a soft blanket when they are fussy. Deep touch is calming for babies.
* Baby massage is a wonderful sensory tool for calming babies.
* Use a baby sling or pouch as it provide deep touch for the baby within the mother’s comforting space and smells.
* Gentle, rhythmic, rocking movement is calming for babies.
* Use calming and gentle rhythmic music to calm babies.
* When you go out, observe sensory qualities of an environment. When it is noisy, with bright lights, lots of people and/or smells it can overload your baby. Minimise such events or places.
* Your baby’s cot should be free of bright hanging toys and objects. Sleep time should be calming not stimulating. Rather place the bright mobiles over your baby’s changing mat or play mat.

 For toddlers:
* Have firm boundaries, be consistent and have a routine. It helps toddlers to feel calm, safe and secure.
* Arrange birthday parties in the morning when toddlers will handle the loud, noisy and busy environments better.
* Try to get your toddler to snack on healthy foods (fruit, biltong, popcorn, pretzels, nuts, raisins, etc). Colorants and preservatives are big culprits for creating over-active behaviour.
* Teach toddlers to pack away while playing, using one game or toy at a time. Cluttered environments full of toys can be over-stimulating. At the same time you will teach your toddler important organisational skills.
* Give your toddler regular movement opportunities (run, jump, jungle gym, etc). It is organising for their brains and stimulates motor development as well. Limit passive TV time!
* Use a calming bed-time routine. Warm baths, dim lights and a bedtime story (no dragons or witches) told in a soft and gentle voice.
* Create a special “womb-space” for your toddler in his/her room. A pop-up tent works well. It is not time-out from a disciplinary point of view but rather creating quiet spaces where he/she can self-calm when necessary. It must be off limits to other siblings.

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