Summertime fun

It is mid-summer and if your house is like mine, the fun of summer is starting to wear off.  Being out of routine is not something that my daughter, Madeline, enjoys at all.  That means it is time to introduce lots of fun sensory activities to help balance out the anxiety of being out of school and out of routine.  Our Sensory Stitches products are created to adapt to all kinds of different activities.  For example, our Stretchy Tunnel is a very fun tunnel to crawl through, but why not make it part of an obstacle course? 
Here's a creative idea...  Do you have a long hallway in your house?  Put small items in a basket in one room at the end of the hallway.  Then have your child take them one by one through the tunnel to a basket in another room at the other end of the hallway.  They can carry them in their hand, pocket, etc. to be able to crawl through.  You could put a suitcase in one room and pretend you are packing for a trip.  The amount of proprioceptive input our Stretchy Tunnel provides is wonderful!  It is also a motivating way to get a lot of motor planning and muscle toning work done.  My daughter does not like to do motor planning activities, but when proprioceptive input is involved, she is super motivated to work hard!
Another fun activity is to put a ball in the middle of the Stretchy Tunnel.  Hold on to one end of the tunnel and have your child hold on to the other end.  Move the tunnel up and down to bounce the ball.  You are working on bilateral coordination and gross muscle strengthening all while having fun!!
These are just a few of many ideas of the fun ways you can use our Stretchy Tunnel to have fun with your kids this summer.  We have many more products to provide you with endless possibilities of sensory activities for the rest of your summer and beyond.  If you would like more ideas or would like to know more about our products, check out my other posts or e-mail me (Jami) at sensorystitches@gmail.com.

My son, Kyle, crawling through our small size Stretchy Tunnel

   

Spring Has Sprung

No matter where you live, I think you can agree that spring has sprung!  I live in the Chicagoland area and spring sprung very early here.  While being spoiled with 80 degree temperatures in early March, I should have known better than expect they would stay around.  Temps quickly ducked back into the 40s and 50s to keep me from fulling switching over my wardrobe for spring quite yet.  Now that it seems spring is really, truly here, it makes me have more energy and motivation to try new things.  One area that I am always looking for new things to try is in helping with my daughter's sensory needs.  She was diagnosed at the age of 2 with Sensory Processing Disorder.  At the age of 6 she was also diagnosed with Nonverbal Learning Disorder.  She is now 8 years old, so I have tried all kinds of sensory activities to help her regulate herself.  That trial (and a lot of error) process inspired the products we have designed for Sensory Stitches.  Each unique item is designed for a variety of possible uses. 
For example, our Sparky dog is perfect for sitting on a lap while reading a book or riding in the car.  Sparky is also great to put in a laundry basket and push around the house.  Make a list of items that Sparky needs to "pick up" and have your child "drive" Sparky on his errands.  You can work on direction following, proprioceptive input, motor planning, prioritizing, and so much more in that fun activity! 
As you head into spring and start thinking about fun activities that you would like to incorporate for your child, talk a look at our fantastic products to add fun into your daily routines!

Sammy Snake (also available in vinyl) -- $35.00



Lap Buddy (also available in vinyl) -- $30.00

Sparky (3 pound weighted dog) -- $30.00

Super Star (size small) -- $50.00



Super Star (size medium) -- $50.00

Stretchy Tunnel
Small (5 ft. long and 18 in. diameter) -- $35.00
Medium (10 ft. long and 18 in. diameter) -- $55.00
Large (10 ft. long and 21 in. diameter) -- $65.00

For more detailed information on each of our products, please scroll down through our blog to learn about sizing, fabric choices, etc.

To place an order contact Jami Lason at sensorystitches@gmail.com.  You can also purchase online at http://sensorystitches.etsy.com. 

NEW--Stretchy Tunnel!

Introducing our Stretchy Tunnel!  Made from material similar to that used in swimsuits, it provides stretch in every direction for great body work, motor planning skills, and proprioceptive input!  The stitching is reinforced with a stretch stitch to stand up to all kinds of use.  We are offering 3 different sizes --
Small (orange) --  5 ft. long and 18 in. diameter          $35.00
Medium (orange) -- 10 ft. long and 18 in. diameter    $55.00

Large (green) -- 10 ft. long and 21 in. diameter)         $65.00

The Stretchy Tunnel doesn't look like much when it is laying around, but it becomes great fun when crawling through.

Almost out....

Crawling through--the tunnel stretches to match your child's body size and shape.

That was fun!  I love Stretchy Tunnel!

Please see below for our other great products!  For questions or to place an order, contact me at sensorystitches@gmail.com.