Sensory Activities for Attunement and Attachment

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Adapted from a presentation by Robyn Chu, MOT, OTR/L

Attunement:

How reactive a person is to another’s emotional needs and moods.  A person who is well attuned will respond with appropriate language and behaviors based on another person’s emotional state.

Attachment:

A deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space.  The foundation for future healthy relationships.

How can you adjust what you are already doing to support connection?  

1. Special Time: Let your child take the lead during uninterrupted time together. 

·      Parent picks where and when

·      Child picks what and how

2. Setting Limits: Setting healthy limits is crucial for your child to feel safe and connected.

·      Before setting a limit, ask yourself: Does my child need more information?  Is my child regulated (or not)?  Do I have the energy to see this limit through?

·      Set the limit.  First, move near your child and use a gentle physical motion or touch to stop the behavior.  Then, use words.

·      Listen to your child’s response and all of the emotions that come with it

3.  Staylistening: Listen in a connected way without trying to fix things.  Listen all the way through the feelings.

 4.  Playlistening: The art of eliciting laughter in your child

·      Put yourself (the adult) in the less powerful role

·      No tickling or teasing

·      Invite physical contact (but don’t force it!)

And always, please care of yourself as well!  Take breaks, use your own wellness tools, find a friend who can listen, and give yourself grace.  Caring for yourself is caring for your child!

Resources:

·      Wipfler, P., Schore, T. (2016) Listen: Five Simple Tools to Meet Your Everyday Parenting Challenges

·      Purvis, K., Cross, D., Sunshine, W. (2007) The Connected Child: Bring hope and healing to your adoptive family

If you would like to see Robyn's full video recording of this presentation, please go to vimeo at the link below and enter the password: connection

https://vimeo.com/332081794?fbclid=IwAR0vOTi587w00tkAShS1wFqo9pfXCCk0sA1-Ht8v1DKW7BG_oOMv0uxTH7c

 

 

Originally posted by Growing Healthy Children Therapy Services via Locable