Elite Therapy Center Motor Labs
Motor Labs & Sensory Processing Seminars
Kari McKown, MOT, and co-owner at Elite Therapy Center is pictured here with Baylor OT doctoral student, Bailey Smith (OTS), where they partnered with Valor Preparatory Academy to provide a free parent education seminar on how to incorporate motor lab and sensory processing strategies at home, making days run more smoothly and effectively.
Bailey provides a motor lab each Friday in a classroom and also conducts a ‘mobile’ motor lab, on Mondays/Wednesdays traveling from classroom to classroom.
JUMPING: Trampolines can support sensory processing and self-regulation by adapting them into “safe spaces.” Some children love to utilize these spaces when they are overwhelmed. It supports them to calm their bodies with the sensory input they need, in a space just for them.
VERTICAL WRITING/DRAWING: When writing or working in a vertical plane, the muscles of the shoulder girdle and core are turned on. This can lead to increased muscle control as well as improve visual tracking and eye convergence skills.
- The wrist is placed in extension and encourages better control of the fingers.
- Working against gravity provides a great strengthening activity!
- Working on a vertical surface assists with directionality and spatial awareness.
While doing big movements in various directions, your kiddo is working on crossing their midline which helps with handedness, and gets both sides of the brain working together!
TUNNEL CRAWLING: Uniquely designed to encourage crawling, pushing, pulling, heavy work and spatial exploration. Made of smooth fabric that’s stretchy and resistant. A friend or adult holds one end of the tunnel while kids crawl through to build strength, get proprioception on their joints and support sensory integration.
TUMMY TIME: One of the easiest and most beneficial ways to provide a dose of organizing and regulating sensory input is “prone on elbows”, also known as tummy time! This is a developmental position first encouraged for infants and should be encouraged throughout life…even as adults.
“Prone on elbows” is when one is on their belly on a flat and firm surface like the floor, and propped up on the elbows (pictured), supporting the upper body and neck/head with the use of the shoulder girdle and back muscles (not resting the chin on the hands or the floor). When in this position the neck is in extension which activates the brain stem, and this is very regulating for the nervous system.
BALANCE BOARDS: Rocking on a balance board helps kids to get positive Vestibular input while feeling secure in their immediate environment. Balance is of course what keeps us upright and mobile!
If your private school is interested in having a motor lab or want to know how to incorporate sensory processing strategies at home:
