Soft-Lite and Kid-Lite Floor Play Barrels

Southpaw's Soft-Lite and Kid-Lite Floor Play Barrels may have a simple design, but they offer a vast array of therapeutic benefits. Shaped like a barrel, with the middle cut out, children will automatically want to climb through and on top of the occupational therapy equipment. This enhances spatial awareness, which can often be difficult for children with autism, ADHD, or cerebral palsy.

With its round shape, movement is easily incorporated by rolling, pushing, and pulling the barrel. The client can sit in the middle of the barrel while the caregiver, parent, or therapist rolls the barrel around the floor with the child inside. This movement affects the inner ear, where the vestibular system operates and stimulates the body to find balance, which also benefits vision, fine motor skills, and large motor skills.

If the child is physically able, they can also propel themselves while they are inside of the barrel through pushing and pulling while on the outside of the barrel. This heavy work activity stimulates the joints and muscles, helping the client to interpret how much force is needed when moving other objects. Through proprioceptive input, the brain is able to understand where the joints are in space. Heavy work using a barrel helps coordinate body movements better.

Because children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) have difficulty with unconsciously planning movements in a spontaneous way, providing sensory stimulation through large moving occupational therapy equipment helps the client figure out new ways to move. This development of motor planning skills using Southpaw's Soft-Lite and Kid-Lite Floor Play Barrels is a highly effective therapy method that gives clients the ability over time to not have to think about their body movements. Instead, movement will become more unconcious over time, which helps with coordination in sports, writing, and daily activities such as brushing teeth.

In addition to providing valuable sensory stimulation, the Soft-Lite and Kid-Lite Floor Play Barrels provide a cozy, quiet space that is ideal for use in classrooms, therapy practices, and at home. The enclosed space provides respite from over stimulation and is especially helpful for children on the verge of a meltdown.