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Sensory Strategies to Prepare the Brain and Body for Learning!
This episode is all about your brain - how your brain learns new things and how you can help improve your child’s success when learning new skills or cognitive tasks. We also dive into how the brain and body work together and we give you our top 10 sensory strategies that you can use to help your child get ready to learn!
Don’t forget - our podcast is now on YouTube!!!!
Links
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Ep. 65 - MultiSensory Processing
Ep. 194 - The Just Right Challenge
Ep. 204 - Why is Crawling Beneficial?
Article: Understanding Your Brain
Article: The Brain and Movement
Article: A Model for Classroom-Based Intervention
Research: An Exercise Program…
Research: Understanding Regulation Disorders
Sensory Strategies To Prepare The Brain And Body For Learning!
Helping children get ready to learn starts long before the first worksheet or classroom activity. For kids with sensory processing challenges, autism, ADHD, or retained primitive reflexes, preparing the brain and body for learning is essential.
At Harkla, we believe in providing simple, effective, and science-backed strategies to support every child’s growth. In this article, we’ll walk you through 10 sensory-based movement activities we personally use as pediatric occupational therapy assistants—and that you can start using today.
Why Movement Prepares The Brain For Learning
Think about the last time you had a cup of coffee, chewed gum, or went for a brisk walk to “wake up” your brain. These are sensory-based strategies—ways we use input like taste, movement, and sound to help our brains feel more alert and focused.
Children with sensory processing challenges often don’t naturally use these self-regulation tools. Instead, they may:
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Seem unfocused or fidgety during lessons.
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Melt down after transitions.
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Struggle to follow directions or sit still.
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Seem “checked out” during learning tasks.
The good news? We can teach them how to recognize and respond to their sensory needs—and it starts with brain-priming activities.
The Research: Movement + Sensory Input = Better Learning
Science supports what therapists have long known: movement helps the brain get ready to learn. Here are just a few findings from recent studies:
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Motor activity supports cognitive processing and is linked to improvements in memory, attention, and academic skills.
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Physical activity improves brain development and helps children prepare for the social and academic demands of adolescence.
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Movement enhances mental health and focus, making it a critical part of any learning environment.
Movement = sensory input = improved brain function. It’s that simple—and powerful.
Our 10 Favorite Sensory Activities To Get Kids Ready To Learn
These strategies are great for home, school, or clinic settings. Try them before class, homework, transitions, or any time your child needs help focusing.
1. Yoga Positions & Sequences
Yoga promotes body awareness and supports the vestibular system (which helps with balance and spatial orientation). Choose poses like:
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Downward dog.
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Child’s pose.
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Warrior poses.
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Sun salutation sequences.
Why It Works: Moving the head in different positions activates the brain’s alerting and calming systems.
2. Animal Walks
From bear crawls to crab walks, these fun movements challenge coordination, build strength, and provide deep pressure input.
Add A Twist: Use a metronome to help improve rhythm, timing, and attention.
3. Bubble Mountain
Blow through a straw into soapy water to create a mountain of bubbles—yes, it’s that simple and effective.
Why It Works: Blowing activates the oral, olfactory, and proprioceptive systems, helping regulate the nervous system.
OT Tip: Try it in a crawling or plank position to add full-body input!
4. Jumping Jacks & Cross Crawls
These classic exercises get both sides of the body—and the brain—working together.
OT Tip: For cross crawls - Tap your right elbow to your left knee, then switch. Modify with hand-to-knee if needed for balance or coordination challenges.
5. Wall Ball Toss
Have your child toss a ball against the wall and catch it. Add movement side-to-side, or place targets on the wall for extra fun.
OT Tip: Sensory input like visual, proprioceptive, tactile, and vestibular—all working at once!
6. Crawling Obstacle Course
Crawling is one of the most foundational movement patterns for development. Create a tunnel or tape path on the floor and encourage your child to crawl through.
Bonus Ideas:
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Crawl while blowing cotton balls along a path
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Balance a beanbag on the back while crawling
7. Windmills
Stand tall, then bend to touch your right hand to your left foot—then switch. Keep your head moving up and down with each repetition.
Vestibular Input Alert: This one gives strong vestibular stimulation, so follow up with deep pressure activities if needed.
8. Stop, Walk, Wiggle, Sit Game
A fun auditory-motor game. Start by giving literal commands:
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“Stop” = freeze
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“Walk” = walk
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“Wiggle” = wiggle
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“Sit” = sit
Then switch it up—make “stop” mean walk, “wiggle” mean sit, etc. This challenges auditory processing and working memory.
9. Peanut Rocking (Egg Rocking)
Sit curled up like an “egg” and rock back and forth slowly. Great for core strength, coordination, and Moro reflex integration.
Watch For: Loss of balance, neck control issues, or difficulty moving smoothly—these can signal underlying developmental needs.
10. Sour Spray Or Strong Flavored Snacks
Sour, minty, or spicy flavors can act as a quick sensory “wake-up” call for the brain. Gum, lemon spray, or crunchy snacks work too.
Caution: Go slow and let your child adjust to strong flavors over time.
When Should You Use These Activities?
Sensory activities can be used at many points throughout the day. Try them:
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First thing in the morning.
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Before learning tasks (homework, schoolwork, therapy).
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During transitions between activities.
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After lunch or recess.
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After school (especially for kids who "hold it together" all day).
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Before bed—choose calming ones like crawling or yoga.
What If My Child Doesn’t Like The Activity?
That’s okay—and actually pretty common. Many children avoid certain sensory activities because their body doesn’t know how to process that input yet.
Here’s what to do:
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Start small. Introduce the activity gradually.
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Use consistency. The body needs practice to learn how to regulate.
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Make it fun. Turn it into a game, a challenge, or a reward.
Remember: The goal is not perfection. It’s progress.
Final Thoughts
At Harkla, we believe that sensory strategies aren’t just interventions—they’re tools for transformation. By helping your child regulate their body and brain, you’re opening the door to better focus, learning, and emotional well-being.
Whether you use these strategies at home, in the classroom, or in therapy, know that you’re supporting your child’s ability to thrive. You’ve got this—and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
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