Sensory Regulation
Understand your child's sensory needs and build a calmer daily rhythm — from an occupational therapist.
Inside this free guide
- What sensory regulation actually is (in plain, parent-friendly language)
- The 8 sensory systems every child uses to feel safe and organized
- How to tell the difference between sensory seeking, avoiding, and overload
- Simple sensory strategies to try at home this week
- How to build a sensory diet without needing new gear
- When to look for extra support from an OT
Built for real families.
Ages 2–10
Meet Kelsey
Pediatric Occupational Therapist · Founder, Growing Balanced
I'm Kelsey — a pediatric OT and mom. I built Growing Balanced because so many of the families I worked with kept saying the same thing: "This is helpful, but I need it in a way I can actually use on a Tuesday morning."
So that's what this is. Practical, evidence-informed OT strategies packaged for real parenting — not textbooks, not lectures. My hope is that every guide, every article, and every tool here leaves you feeling a little less overwhelmed, and a little more confident.
Grab your free copy — sent straight to your inbox.
No account required. We'll email you the 5-page PDF plus an occasional note when we publish something new (unsubscribe anytime).
Three ways to go deeper
Everyone starts somewhere. Pick the depth that fits your family right now.
Best for getting started
A quick, parent-friendly intro. Read it in one sitting — try one strategy this week.
Explore related articles
More strategies, examples, and practical tips across the Sensory Regulation for Kids hub.
Most comprehensive
The full workbook: printable worksheets, tools, and complete OT strategies for real families.
The guide teaches. The app helps you use it every day.
Build the routines this guide describes into real family life — with visual schedules, sensory activities, co-regulation scripts, and progress tracking, all in one place.
- Sensory activity library
- Heavy-work suggestions
- Calm corner setup
- Sensory diet builder
Keep reading from the Learning Library
Sensory Processing Explained: What Every Parent Should Know
Sensory processing is how the brain takes in and organizes signals from all eight senses. Some kids seek more input (crashing, spinning), others avoid it (covering ears, refusing tags) — both are information, not misbehavior, and both respond to a simple daily sensory diet.
Emotional Regulation for Kids: A Parent-Friendly Guide
Emotional regulation is the ability to notice a big feeling and move through it without being swept away. For kids, it's a slow-growing skill they build by borrowing your calm — again and again, over years of practice, with zero shame and lots of connection.
Questions parents ask before downloading
Everything you might want to know before entering your email.
Is this really free?
Yes. Email-gated so we can send you the PDF, but no purchase required.
What ages is this for?
Written primarily for parents of kids 2–10. Many teen and preteen strategies inside still apply — sensory needs don't disappear with age.
My child hasn't been diagnosed. Is this still useful?
Very. Every child has sensory preferences. You don't need a diagnosis to notice patterns or use the strategies in the guide.
Will this help children with autism or ADHD?
Yes — sensory regulation is often the most impactful lever for autistic + ADHD kids. The guide is neurodiversity-affirming.
Do I need special sensory equipment?
No. Every activity in the starter guide uses things you already own or free household items.
Ready to try one thing this week?
Download the guide. Try one small change. See how it feels.