Heavy work is an important tool that therapists use to help regulate a child’s sensory system in order to better process emotions and behaviors. As the child achieves greater self regulation, they are often able to be more focused and attentive for other activities. “Heavy work” is a term therapists commonly use to describe activities that involve pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy objects. These activities provide important proprioceptive input to our joints and muscles that allow us to feel where our body is in space and can provide a calming effect. For children who are often running, jumping, or crashing into things, it is likely that they are already seeking this type of input naturally from their environment in order to regulate their bodies.
Incorporating heavy work into your child’s daily routine helps enrich their sensory diet and can help them become more focused for schoolwork or other daily tasks. It also provides a valuable opportunity for your child to improve strength and stability in the muscles of the upper body and trunk. There are many heavy work tasks that can be completed at home with minimal to no equipment required.
Some of these activities can resemble every day chores, such as:
- Carrying a basket of laundry
- Pushing/pulling a heavy basket or shopping cart
- Pushing a lawnmower
- Pulling weeds
- Loading/unloading groceries
- Sweep, mop, or vacuum floors
- Helping with cooking tasks and dishes
Other activities may resemble activities commonly performed on the playground or during play time, such as:
- Climbing a rock wall or playground equipment
- Racing on a scooter board while laying on their belly
- Doing wheelbarrow walks or animal walks
- Carry weighted medicine balls
- Push or pull a weighted sled or wagon
- Smashing play-doh or theraputty
- Playing in an obstacle course involving jumping, crawling, or moving heavy objects
These activities can be incorporated as a regular part of your child’s routine in order to expand exposure to sensory activities as well as provide an outlet for physical exercise. Ask your therapist how heavy work can be incorporated into your child’s routine! They will be able to provide you with specific tasks that uniquely address your child’s sensory needs and self regulation.