Most parents are trying to help their kids with focus, coordination, behavior, or sensory challenges…. but don’t know what to actually do at home.
The truth is, your home environment can either support your child’s brain or work against it.
And the good news?There are simple, effective tools you can use at home that support:
- brain development
- coordination
- regulation
- focus and learning
Even better, many of these tools are accessible, easy to use, and often eligible for reimbursement through programs like the Unique Abilities Scholarship (when educationally justified).
At our office, we don’t just look at symptoms.
We look at the brain.
Because when a child struggles with:
- attention
- emotional regulation
- coordination
- behavior
…it’s often a brain body communication issue, not just a behavior problem.
And the right inputs, especially movement and sensory input, can make a huge difference.
CORE TOOLS WE RECOMMEND FOR HOME
Balance + Core + Reflex Integration
- Peanut ball
- Yoga/exercise ball
- BOSU ball
- Balance discs
- Interactive Balance Board Game ***
- Spinning chair
- Mini Trampoline (rebounder)
- Balance beam
- Balance Seat
These tools help build:
- core strength
- posture
- coordination
- reflex integration
They’re especially helpful for kids working through retained reflexes like TLR and STNR, and for improving overall brain-body communication.
Coordination + Motor Planning
Tools:
- Cones
- Discs
- Agility ladders
- Stepping stones
- Obstacle course setups
- Tunnel (great for crawling)
- Suction toys
- Sorting work
These support:
- motor planning
- spatial awareness
- cerebellar function
- focus and attention
Simple drills with these tools can significantly improve how the brain organizes movement and behavior.
Fine Motor Skills + Hand Strength ** most kids need these AFTER they have worked on gross motor
Tools:
- Lacing cards and lacing beads: beginner intermediate
- Clothespins or pinch clips
- Peg Board
- Putty or therapy dough
- Buttoning and zipper practice boards
- Fine motor activity kits
Fine motor skills are about much more than handwriting.
These activities help strengthen:
- hand muscles
- finger coordination
- bilateral coordination
- grip strength
- visual-motor integration
They also support important developmental skills tied to:
- writing
- feeding
- dressing
- attention and focus
- overall brain-body coordination
Simple activities like clipping clothespins, threading beads, or using tweezers help build communication between the brain and the hands while encouraging precision, motor planning, and coordination.
Sensory + Nervous System Regulation
Tools:
- Sensory swings
- Fidget tools
- Weighted items (vest, blankets, heavy balls)
These tools help:
- calm the nervous system
- improve focus
- reduce overwhelm
- support emotional regulation
For many kids, regulation is the foundation for learning.
Additional Options
Tools:
- Vibration plates: large option *** small option
- Rezzimax *** Code HEAL
These can be incredibly helpful for:
- neuromuscular activation
- sensory input
- coordination
These are typically best used with guidance to ensure they’re appropriate and used correctly.
A NOTE ON COST + ACCESS
Many families don’t realize this:
👉 A lot of these tools may be eligible for reimbursement through programs like the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) when they support a child’s educational needs.
These tools often fall under categories like:
- sensory materials
- physical education equipment
- therapy support tools
However:
- approvals can vary
- some items may require pre-authorization
- documentation of educational benefit is important (Many of these tools integrate primitive reflexes which improve focus, handwriting, ability to sit still and other things that are directly related to learning.)
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOLS
You don’t need everything.
In fact, more tools ≠ better results.
What matters most is:
- choosing tools that match your child’s needs
- using them consistently
- and knowing how to use them
Because the goal isn’t just activity, it’s intentional input to the brain.
*** These items are affiliate links
