Heavy Work Play: Easy Calming Activities for Young Kids
Key Points
- Definition: Heavy work play is activities that engage muscles and joints through movements like pushing, pulling, or lifting.
- Examples:
- Pushing or pulling wagons, wheelbarrows, or strollers
- Carrying bins or buckets of toys
- Tug-of-war
- Hanging from or climbing playground equipment
- Rough house play
From my start in childcare to my work as a developmental therapist, I have loved incorporating heavy work play with kids. Introducing heavy work play can transform your classroom or home into a happier, calmer space for children.
Heavy Work Basics
Heavy work is a type of activity that engages muscles and joints through movements like pushing, pulling, or lifting.
I specifically call this heavy work play because the activity should be playful. And children can choose to participate or not.
The goal is to introduce heavy work playfully. You’ll see the most benefits when children can join and stop when they areready.
Calming Effects of Heavy Work
Heavy work activities involve deep pressure and strong sensory input, which can help calm children by regulating their nervous system.
This input triggers the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which promote relaxation and a sense of calmness.
Activities: Play-Based Heavy Work Ideas
Home
Classrooms
Outdoors
Heavy Work vs. Deep Pressure
Heavy work play and deep-pressure activities are not the same but are related.
Deep pressure refers to firm touch or pressure applied to the body, such as weighted blankets, joint compressions, or massage.
Heavy work engages muscles and joints through movements like pushing, pulling, or lifting. Both can have calming effects, but they can serve different sensory purposes.
Heavy Work Strategies and Tips
Parents and educators can maximize the benefit of heavy work play by incorporating it naturally into daily routines.
In Classrooms
Add heavy work play into the routine during transitions or pair heavy work with a task.
- Perform wall push-ups before mealtimes.
- Drag cushions to the circle time area.
- Move or drag cots to the nap time area.
- Push or pull chairs across the room before sitting at the table.
- Carry toy bins around the room 1x before placing them on the shelf.
At Home
Transitions: Use heavy work to help children manage transitions and prepare for changes in activities or environments.
- Jumping jacks before cleaning up
- Wall push-ups before sitting down to meal
- Put toys on a blanket and pull them across the room
Before Bedtime: Incorporate heavy work into bedtime routines to help children relax and prepare for sleep.
- Inverted yoga
- Blanket burritos
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists can assess children’s sensory needs and provide individualized recommendations and strategies for adding heavy work into daily routines at home and school. This expertise helps parents and educators maximize the benefits of heavy work play for children.
Including heavy work play into a child’s routine can develop strength, coordination, and sensory integration while also serving as a powerful calming tool. With thoughtful observation, we can introduce fun, effective heavy work activities to match children’s interests and abilities.
Get a simple but incredible introduction to all types of play in early childhood in my ultimate play guide.
