Blossoming Skills: How Springtime Encourages Therapy Progress

Spring is a pretty and precious time in the carousel of our four seasons. To see the natural environment quite literally come alive before your eyes is the reason that spring is associated with a multitude of life’s greatest gifts: love, fertility, innocence, playfulness, hope, and new life. In this period, we see so many examples of growth, and the ways in which this growth requires time, patience, and nurturing. Through the lens of pediatric therapy, spring is similar to the blossoming progress that little ones make in the course of their treatment.

In this month’s newsletter, we take a look at how spring cleaning can be beneficial to the emotional and sensory well-being of our children, and we review how springtime itself is a wonderful time to reflect on our child’s growth and progress. Embrace this season for all its beauty and rejuvenation!

MONTHLY FEATURES

Book: Spark Joy

Marie Kondo created a sensation with this book, which promoted the act of organizing and tidying up as an art. It is worth a read for the interesting practice of considering how the possessions in your life may or may not spark joy.

Product: Clear organizing bins

While you should never purchase organizing bins until a thorough and deep decluttering process has taken place in your home, clear organizing bins and labels are a reliable organization system that you can implement throughout your home.

Quote

Spring: a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can really be.

– Unknown

Spring Cleaning for Emotional Well-Being

How Decluttering Cleans More Than Your Physical Space

There’s something special about opening up the windows of your home when that springtime air gets warm enough. That is, until you see the state of your windows and are reminded of a necessity that is either dreaded or well-loved: spring cleaning.

Since spring is the season of rejuvenation and renewal, it’s the time of year that feels the most appropriate to refresh your home. Most everyone has felt the connection between physical clutter and mental disarray. Marie Kondo highly popularized the practice of decluttering and organizing one’s home by choosing to keep only the items that “spark joy.” While this method, (dubbed the KonMari Method) is not effective for everyone, there is truth in the theory that a clearer home helps set the stage for a clearer mind. This is not just true for grown homeowners; this is true for those at any age. When caring for a child with sensory needs, it’s particularly important to understand that the link between clutter and sensory overload is quite strong.

Children with sensory processing challenges often struggle with overstimulation, and a cluttered environment can incite or increase anxiety, negatively impact focus, and contribute to meltdowns. While decluttering your home certainly won’t alleviate these issues completely, it can nonetheless be a helpful strategy to reduce the severity of these challenges. Yet, it’s not always as easy as it may sound. Adults and children alike may struggle with many aspects of decluttering. The vast amount of clutter can feel overwhelming when first getting started, which can exacerbate attention, executive functioning and sensory processing challenges. The following decluttering strategies can be helpful in these scenarios to guide you towards progress:

Use Visual Schedules

Create a simple checklist or visual chart to show the cleaning steps. This helps to increase expectations for children and can give them a sense of accomplishment when they check/cross off each task.

Declutter in Small Steps

Work on one room of the house at each time, and break rooms into small sections. Break the process into short, structured steps to avoid sensory overload and reduce the mental magnitude.

Keep, Toss, or Donate

Always begin each decluttering task with three containers or bags labeled as “Keep,” “Toss,” or “Donate.” It can be helpful to have these visual cues as a reminder that each item can only be placed in 1 of 3 choices. Try not to “skip” items and come back to them; make the decision, place in the correct bin, and move on.

Consider Sensory Input and Breaks

Some kids may tolerate cleaning better when they wear noise-cancelling headphones, while others may prefer music or countdowns to signal transitions. If the process of decluttering is creating stress, offer movement breaks, deep pressure input, calming sensory tools (i.e., fidgets or a weighted blanket), or even an indoor or outdoor swing, if appropriate.

By taking a sensory-friendly approach to spring cleaning, families can create a more organized, peaceful environment that promotes emotional regulation, focus and comfort for children who struggle with dysregulation. Now get started!

When Letting Go is Hard

Decluttering strategies for sentimental children

Letting go of items can be difficult for children, especially those who find comfort in familiar items. The following are suggestions on helping guide them through the rough spots of, “But I want to keep that!”

Take Photos of Sentimental Items

If a child is reluctant to part with a toy or artwork, discuss starting a “special memory book” with them. Take pictures of the items and place them in a photo album or journal; these can even be accompanied by written snippets of the memory associated with that item.

Use Social Stories

Reading a story about decluttering– even if its a short, simple story that you write yourself– can help with some children’s anxiety regarding the process by helping them understand what’s involved in the process and why it’s important.

Give Choices

When appropriate, allow your child to choose where the donations go when you give them choices of options in the community. They may be more willing to part with a toy when they understand that it may be given to a child who does not have a home or who is sick.

Stepping Forward in Spring

Celebrating Progress on the Journey of Therapy

Just like flowers need sunlight and water to bloom, children need support and encouragement to reach their developmental milestones. Pediatric therapy plays a vital role in guiding children toward progress, and spring is the perfect time to reflect on achievements, set new goals and celebrate every step forward.

Understanding Milestone Tracking

Milestones serve as key indicators of a child’s development in areas such as communication, motor skills, cognition and social interactions. While every child progresses at their own pace, tracking milestones helps therapists and families recognize strengths and areas that need additional support.

The Power of Small Wins

Parents of children with special needs come to quickly understand that “wins” in therapy can vary greatly in size. Yet, every achievement– no matter how big or small– deserves recognition. Provide verbal encouragement and celebrate wins with activities that promote meaningful connection.

Setting New Goals for Continued Growth

Spring symbolizes fresh starts, making it an ideal time to set new therapy goals. Openly communicate with your child’s therapists to establish realistic, attainable objectives tailored to your child’s strengths and needs. Encourage children to be a part of the process by letting them choose activities they enjoy at home that help reinforce skills they are learning in their sessions.

Spring reminds us that growth happens in its own time, and every step forward is a reason to celebrate!

Content of this newsletter was written by:
Megan A. Miller, M.S., CCC-SLP

Please contact Megan with any questions or comments at: megan@ctctherapy.com

www.ChildrensTherapyConnections.com