Allie Ticktin - Play to Progress: Lead Your Child to Success Using the Power of Sensory Play

To wean them from screens and engage them in three-dimensional, hands-on, body-on fun, these imaginative sensory-motor ideas are just what todays kids need. The activities will help them develop a sense of self, feel comfortable in their bodies, and grow to become confident, competent, in-sync children.

CAROL STOCK KRANOWITZ, M.A., author of The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun and coauthor of Growing an In-Sync Child

Sensory play is a hugely overlooked foundation of healthy child developmentphysically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially. Play to Progress makes the neuroscience of sensory integration accessible to everyone, and is filled with creative and fun ideas for sensory nutrition that helps kids feel and function at their bestand often sleep better, too. This book is an invaluable resource for parents, teachers, and anyone spending time with children.

JENNIFER WALDBURGER, MSW, cofounder of Sleepy Planet Parenting, author of The Sleepeasy Solution

Play to Progress presents plenty of fun, easy-to-perform activities that can strengthen parents bond with their child and aid in their sensory development. Dr. Ticktin goes beyond merely presenting the exercises and delves into the why behind sensory play and how it helps strengthen childrens bodies and minds. In an age when kids are increasingly getting their sensory stimulation from screens instead of personal interactions, Play to Progress is a welcome reminder that there are many other ways to engage childrens senses, and it can be a true pleasure for parents to share in those experiences.

SHAUN GALLAGHER, author of Experimenting with Babies and Experimenting with Kids

I was lucky to meet Dr. Allie when my boys were just toddlers, and she quickly became my go-to resource for all things child development. I value her emphasis on good old-fashioned sensory development in an era when screens have become an all-too-tempting parenting crutch. Allie always offers simple solutions for engaging my childrens senses without devices. Im so grateful that, with this book, parents everywhere will be able to benefit from Allies wisdom.

CANDACE NELSON, founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes and Pizzana

This book is an absolute gem! Dr. Allie Ticktin has given parents and teachers a game-changing road map to empower children through open-ended sensory play. With compassion and skill, Allie walks you through the eight senses using insightful explanations of each. But more important, she offers a series of practical activities to engage your rigid, anxious, or distracted child. These tools allow you to meet your child where they are while creating play experiences that develop their individual sensory system. By helping your child better connect with their senses, they begin to engage more comfortably with the world around themwhat a gift!

CAROLYN DALGLIESH, professional organizer and author of The Sensory Child Gets Organized

Allie Ticktin is a visionary. She helped my wife and me become better parents. Her book will help you understand your child on a deeper level. The wealth of knowledge that she shares is practical, easy to do at home, and really fun. Play to Progress is the resource that every parent needs.

STEPHEN CHBOSKY, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Imaginary Friend

an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

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Copyright 2021 by Play 2 Progress, LLC

Illustrations by Brian Lee

Photograph of the author by Dane Deaner

Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Ticktin, Allie, author.

Title: Play to progress: lead your child to success using the power of sensory play / Allie Ticktin.

Description: New York : TarcherPerigee, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2021. | Includes index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020055868 (print) | LCCN 2020055869 (ebook) | ISBN 9780593191927 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780593191934 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Perceptual-motor learning. | Sensory stimulation. | Play. | Motor ability in children. | Senses and sensation in children. | Child development.

Classification: LCC LB1067 .T54 2021 (print) | LCC LB1067 (ebook) | DDC 370.15/5dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020055868

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020055869

p.cm.

Book design by Patrice Sheridan, adapted for ebook by Estelle Malmed

Some names and identifying characteristics have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.

Neither the publisher nor the author is engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are not intended as a substitute for consulting with your physician. All matters regarding your health require medical supervision. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book.

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Introduction

From the moment they are born, children explore the world around them and begin to discern what is happening inside their bodies by using their senses. That input helps them get to know their surroundings, develop their gross and fine motor skills, and understand themselves. When they play, they are noticing how the dirt feels under their feet, their speed through the air while riding a bike, or how cold the ice cream is as they take a big lick, all of which nourishes their sensory system and teaches them how to engage with their environment. The sensory system develops as they interact with the world. In fact, for kids, perhaps the most meaningful way of experiencing the world is through play. Play has the power to lead our little ones to become children, and eventually adults, with the confidence and skills to chase their dreams.

If a child constantly wore mittens, they would have difficulty developing the fine motor control of their hands and fingers that they need to be able to pick up small objects, handle a crayon, or play games. If a child was never given the opportunity to physically explore their environment, it would be challenging for them to learn to move around and interact with others. In fact, studies have shown that children who spend their early life without sufficient sensory stimulationin this case because they lived in orphanagesare physically and cognitively behind their peers.

These are extreme examples, of course, but the reality is that when a childs sensory system is not nourished, they may be at a disadvantage that can manifest physically, academically, and socially. I see it all the time in my work as an occupational therapist at my company, Play 2 Progress, where we help children build skills for the journey through childhood using the power of play. We see kids who struggle to stay seated during circle time, participate in a sport, navigate the classroom, build a structure out of blocks, write their name, copy from the board, orwhat I find to be the hardest to seedevelop a positive self-image and make friends. The bad news is that, in my experience, its only getting worse. In recent years, Ive seen multiple infants whose parents, with only the best of intentions, have placed them in equipment that is marketed as great for babies but can actually delay development and lead to difficulty sitting or walking. What those little ones really need is what