Hey {{first_name}}
Evenings can feel like the longest part of the day.
By bedtime, kids are often overtired, overstimulated, and running on their last reserves. For children with sensory differences, it’s not as simple as putting them to bed. Their nervous system needs help shifting from high-energy mode into rest.
That’s why I’m sharing 3 sensory-friendly strategies to make bedtime smoother:
✨ 1. Meet Their Sensory Threshold First
About an hour before bed, give your child goal-oriented sensory activities to help fill their sensory cup. This highly depends on their individual sensory needs but here are some examples:
Building a pillow fort together
A mini obstacle course (crawl, climb, jump, crash into a pile)
Carrying laundry upstairs or pushing a basket across the room
Sensory bins
Animal walks
👉 If your child is still spinning, running laps, or doing endless summersaults right before bed, it usually means their threshold wasn’t met earlier. Step 1 is key!!
🤸If you’re struggling with coming up with ideas for your movement seeker, check out my Sensory Movement Activity Pack. You’ll find easy, goal-oriented movement games you can play with your kiddo, that will help them feel regulated instead of overstimulated.
✨ 2. Heavy Work + Deep Pressure
Once they’ve had movement, help their body shift into calm mode with regulating input:
Slow animal walks with a weighted stuffed animal on their back
Reading a book in a compression sheet or under a weighted blanket
Lotion massage or firm squeezes while drying after bath
Rolling a yoga ball slowly over their back
✨ 3. Create Sensory Shifts in the Environment
Set the stage for rest by making the environment soothing:
Dim lights (even during bath, twinkle lights work beautifully)
Play quiet, slow-paced music
Try calming scents like lavender lotion or essential oils
If you’d like me to cover any specific topics, send me a DM or reply to this email. I’d love your hear your ideas :)
You’ve got this,
Effie
