Spring is just a few weeks ahead, and its imminent arrival comes with an opportunity for children to explore the natural world, discover new skills, and develop confidence.
As we shake off the blankets and jackets of winter, parents of children with autism can help guide them through this time of transition. By taking a little time to plan, the following activities can help parents reconnect their children with the outside world in a memorable and fun manner.
Try New Sports and Outdoor Activities
There’s no better time than spring to try new sports and outdoor activities, as often this is when new teams form and classes begin.
Ask your child which sports or activity they’d like to try, or if there’s one from past years with which they’d like to continue. While some might prefer team games like basketball and soccer, others might prefer more solitary types like swimming, hiking, and biking.
By letting your child choose, it becomes far more likely they will continue with the activity and gain the numerous physical, social, and mental benefits that stem from sports and outdoor activities.
Whatever your child decides they would like to explore, be sure to give them the right safety equipment along with enough instruction and guidance before letting them attempt it on their own.
Experiment with Art Forms and Crafts
While art can be practiced practically anywhere, the blue skies and warm breeze of spring can be particularly inspiring for children of all ages.
Spring is a fantastic time to let children with autism experiment with different art forms, whether that be the tacitly engaging clay molding, visually stimulating photography, or classics like painting and drawing.
Working with chalk on the sidewalk in particular can be beneficial. With the interesting physical feeling, the wide array of colors, and near endless canvas of the streets, it’s a safe and easy avenue for children with autism to express themselves. It’s also easy to create or combine with other games like tic-tac-toe, hopscotch, and spelling games.
Create a Spring Sensory Bin
A wonderful tool to mark the transition of the seasons is creating a sensory bin. All you need is a small container, which your child can then fill with various objects they feel match the season such as pine cones, flowers, and whatever else catches their eye.
Creating and interacting with sensory bins can be particularly beneficial for children with autism, as it improves fine motor skills, helps hone sensory descriptive skills, and builds confidence by letting your child make the decisions regarding its contents.
A spring sensory bin is a fantastic way to capture the essence of spring and help children build powerful, fun associations with the new season.
Brighter Days Ahead
Spring is a wonderful time of the year to come out of our winter shells and build positive momentum that will continue long after the season ends. By encouraging outdoor exploration and engagement, parents can help their children make the most of the warmer weather ahead, all the while honing important skills that will help them develop year after year.
