Home Programs Handbook

What’s inside

These are the same home programs our occupational and physical therapists give families after a session, now in one place. Each one explains the “why” in plain words, then gives you playful activities that use what’s already in your house.

How to use it: pick one program, not seven. Do five to ten minutes most days for two weeks before adding another. If your child already sees us, your therapist will tell you where to start.

Tactile (touch)

Touch keeps kids safe and helps them learn about the world. It’s especially important for calm behavior, attention and fine motor skills.

Favorites to try:

• Un-paint: spread shaving cream or pudding on a tray and draw letters, shapes and infinity signs.
• Play dough snakes: roll them, then pinch or cut from left to right, the way we read and write.
• Texture bins: hide small toys in rice, beans or birdseed and dig for treasure.
• Mystery bag: find a toy by touch only, without looking.
• Hot dog roll: roll your child up snug in a blanket and “add the ketchup” with gentle squishes.

Textures feel like too much? Let your child start with a spoon, straw or pretzel rod, then work up to hands.

Vestibular (movement and balance)

This system senses movement and gravity. It’s key for balance, coordination, eye development and understanding space.

Favorites to try:

• Flap jacks: roll from back to tummy and back again without using elbows or feet. Ten times.
• Airplane: lie on your back and lift your child on your feet for a smooth takeoff.
• Rowboat: sit facing each other, hold hands and row back and forth.
• Balance beam: walk forward, backward and sideways along a board or a curb.
• Ribbon dance: twirl, twist and jump to music holding streamers.

Everyday ideas: swinging, sliding, rolling, somersaults, scooters, bike riding and obstacle courses.

Proprioception (body awareness)

This sense tells us where our body parts are without looking, and helps us plan how to move.

Favorites to try:

• Wheelbarrow walking: hold your child’s ankles while they walk on their hands.
• Carry heavy loads: milk jugs, grocery bags or a laundry basket.
• Pillow crash: pile up pillows and let them run and jump in.
• Tug of war: sitting, standing and kneeling.
• People sandwich: cover your child with couch cushions and give a gentle “squish, squish.”

Chores count! Moving laundry, vacuuming, raking and wiping tables are all great heavy work.

Oral sensory

Mouth activities are a powerful way to calm and organize the nervous system.

Favorites to try:

• Straw bubbles: blow bubbles in a cup of water with a straw.
• Pom-pom race: blow a pom-pom across the table with a straw.
• Thick drinks: sip smoothies or milkshakes through a straw.
• Crunchy and chewy snacks: carrots, apples, pretzels and cereal necklaces.
• Whistles and harmonicas: anything you blow.

For chewers: it’s not that they want to chew, they need to. Offer safe chewy options and notice when they need more.

Animal walks

Moving like animals builds strength, balance and body awareness, and it’s fun to do together.

Favorites to try:

• Bear walk: hands and feet, bottom up high.
• Crab walk: belly up like a table, hips high.
• Frog hop: squat low and leap forward.
• Flamingo hop: small hops on one foot.
• Penguin walk: arms straight down, short quick steps.

Try our Animal Walk Adventure game: spin the wheel, move like the animal, and earn a badge.

Core strength

The core steadies the body so arms and legs can do their jobs, from sitting at a table to climbing at the park.

Favorites to try:

• Superman: lie on the tummy and lift arms and legs off the floor.
• Silly bug: on the back, knees up and arms crossed, lift the head and hold.
• Cat-cow: on hands and knees, arch the back like a cat, then let it drop like a cow.
• Yoga ball bounce: sit on a ball while you hold their hips and gently tip in each direction.
• Play positions: play on the tummy or on hands and knees.

Build from the ground up: keep doing touch, movement and body awareness activities alongside these.

Primitive reflexes

Babies are born with automatic reflexes that the brain usually “integrates” over time. When some stay active, they can get in the way of movement, posture and learning.

Favorites to try:

• Visual tracking, 5 to 6 times a day: pick a toy that lights up, spins or makes noise.
• Move it side to side, up and down, and on the diagonals while your child follows it with their eyes, not their head.
• Four times in each direction.

Your child’s therapist will tell you if this program is right for them.

Download the full handbook

The complete handbook has every activity, tips for chewers, and simple equipment you can make at home. Download it in English or Spanish using the buttons on this page. Print the pages you need, or keep the PDF on your phone.

From the Oaklin Lane Home Programs Handbook. Stop any activity that causes pain, and check with your child’s therapist if you have questions.