Play
Play is how kids explore their environments and learn. Sometimes people call it leisure. Such fun!
Play is how kids explore their environments and learn. Sometimes people call it leisure. Such fun!
Below you will see groups of behaviors that describe specific patterns of sensory processing. As you read through these lists, make note of any that stick out to you or seem to be descriptive of your child. Click on any group for more information about that particular pattern of sensory processing. Children can display different patterns at different times, so make sure to click on all that apply.
My child appears...
- to be distracted by lighting or colors or visual textures of toys; to see things others don’t, to perseverate on specific stimulating objects or become easily overwhelmed; to require less time to locate objects visually in games or activities; to line up toys and immediately notice or become upset if one is removed or out of place
- to prefer to play with just one or two other people; averse to loud, noisy games; to prefer sedentary activities which tend to be quieter; distracted by noises others don't hear
- to prefer not to participate in messy play; to prefer sedentary or predictable activities; to enjoy play that provides compression or deep pressure; to avoid being tickled or touched
- to avoid specific objects with specific scents; to be distracted by smells or "shut down"
- to prefer sedentary activities or have rigid or robotic movements
- to resist movement during play or to prefer back and forth or head to toe gross motor play; to resist spinning, cartwheels, or hanging upside down on the monkey bars
My child appears...
- to prefer games, toys, or activities with lots of lights and colors
- to prefer to play with toys that make loud sounds; to shy away from singing games or not notice being off pitch
- not to mind getting messy
- uncoordinated or unskilled at motor activities; to use too much force with toys or equipment
- to move excessively, to be clumsy or accident prone; may be able to spin for a long time on the merry-go-round or tire swing for a long time with no reaction
- not to have a sense of heart rate or internal rhythm and struggle to participate in rhythmic play
My child appears...
- to prefer games, toys, or activities with lots of lights and colors
- prefer loud games with funny noises, to listen to music with volume too high, to scream on the playground, to be distracted by noise, or to repeatedly cup hands over ears to create sound sensations
- to prefer rough and tumble play or toys and games with lots of different textures; may not mind getting messy; may rub objects on his or her face or skin as a means of exploration
- to be distracted by smells or prefer smell seeking over actual play
- to mouth or lick toys and games during play as a means of exploration beyond and appropriate age
- to excel in gross motor play or athletics; to be very agile; to play rough with toys, games, or peers
- to prefer fast moving gross motor play, such as running, jumping, climbing, spinning, swinging, or hanging upside down from the monkey bars
My child appears...
- to have difficulty distinguishing between different colors, shapes, distances, or visual textures; to be hesitant to climb, run, or jump; to require one piece at a time when completing a puzzle
- to struggle to follow directions of structured games or require visual information or support of other senses
- to prefer rough and tumble play, feel light touch as painful, have difficulty playing in the sand or waver between extremes of avoidant and seeking patterns
- to have difficulty with play activities requiring muscle coordination
- to have difficulty determining head position, maintaining upright position, or determining speed
My child appears...
- lazy or lethargic
- to struggle to maintain position during play
- to be easily fatigued by everyday tasks
- to sprawl out or lie on the floor when playing alone or with others
My child appears...
- unaware of how to plan play tasks
- uncertain of how to correctly sequence steps in a task
- to struggle to complete steps in order even if he or she demonstrates understanding of the correct order
- to need cues or prompts or physical assistance to complete tasks even if familiar; to fall behind in cooperative play scenarios; or to excel in verbally directing the play of others