Therapy balls come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, and are one of the most versatile classroom products. Together with peanut balls they are typically used for balance and coordination training, strengthening, gross motor and proprioceptive activities.

We were fortunate to visit a local SEN school and observe the use of therapy and peanut balls with their students. We've taken our observations and expertise to write this blog and discuss the power of therapy balls in a classroom setting. We hope this inspires some alternative ways that you can use them in your classroom.

Focus and Concentration

One of the most common uses of therapy balls is for active sitting. Therapy balls encourage active sitting, allowing a controlled way for the user to move, which can mean less disruptive behaviour. Switching from a traditional classroom chair to an anti-burst therapy ball can be particularly beneficial for children who like to move or perhaps struggle to sit still. You can always opt for a sitting ball with feet if students prefer a little more stability.

Try using a therapy ball at a desk when completing set tasks. Providing the student with an outlet to safely move can help them focus and concentrate. They're also great during group tasks. Sitting on a therapy ball during group activities can help students feel more comfortable physically and emotionally. Removing the pressures of having to 'sit still'  provides the confidence to actively engage with others socially and academically.

Balance & Strengthening

There are many ways to use balls as part of balance and strengthening exercises. Try some of these simple exercises to boost balance and coordination skills in your classroom. You can use these activities as part of one to one therapy sessions or as group exercise activities to boost social interaction.

  • Ask students to sit on a therapy ball and using their balance and core strength, bring the ball to a standstill, holding it still for as long as they are able to.
  • Using a anti-burst therapy ball practise throwing and catching a bean bag or ball. These activities will help develop balance and core strength as well as gross motor and coordination. Opt for a sitting ball with feet if students require a more stable ball for this activity.
  • Using either an anti-burst peanut ball or therapy ball, ask students to lie across the top, slowly lifting their arms and legs off the floor and balance for as long as possible without falling off!

Learning how to sit properly on a therapy ball helps to develop core muscle strength and promotes the correct posture.

 

Self Regulation

We all need a little time during the day to re-fresh, re-focus and self regulate. During our recent visit to a local SEN school we witnessed children using peanut balls for just this! A student was happily sat, gently bouncing on a peanut ball with tactile nodules, watching what other students were doing. The bouncing sensation helped him to calm, relax and self regulate.

Watching his behaviour and how the peanut ball enabled him to calm was educational for us. Sometimes, we can overthink the use of balls when in reality it's just important they are accessible for students to use. Try adding some therapy or peanut balls to your quiet corners or reading areas, in addition to sensory rooms. Giving free access to them throughout the day can teach students important self regulation skills, resulting in happier more confident students.

 

Exercise

In addition to balance and strengthening, therapy balls can also be used as part of exercise and sensory activities. Consider introducing some of these activities to help promote active play.

  • Use a round therapy ball to roll across the floor. Set up an obstacle course and ask students to roll the therapy ball around the course. Great for learning strength, speed, control of movement and direction.
  • Ask students to sit on a therapy ball and introduce a resistance band. Try different exercises on feet, legs, arms and torso whilst the student is sat on the ball.
  • Lie across a peanut ball with tactile nodules, gently rolling it back and forth with hands and feet. Students can benefit from the sensory feedback from the tactile nodules.
  • Rolling a therapy ball on a student can provide a deep-pressure tactile massage that encourages blood circulation. It can also help to calm and relax.
  • Sit on a therapy ball and place feet on spiky balance pods for massage therapy. Use small massage balls to run along arms and legs for sensory input.

 

 

Having Fun!

It's very easy to overlook just how FUN therapy balls can be! Giving students the freedom to explore and play with therapy balls can be very rewarding. At the same local SEN school we visited, we had a range of therapy balls out for students to explore. We observed a young student having a fantastic time with a sensory therapy gym ball. This particular student started sitting and bouncing on the ball, increasing the frequency before rolling it across the floor and throwing her body across it!

As she gained confidence she tried jumping on the ball from further distances and her smile said it all. Empowering students with the freedom to explore and have fun is vital to their emotional and physical well-being. It can also be a safe outlet to release excess energy or frustration which can otherwise build up and result in distruptive or unsettling behaviour in the classroom.

Why not encourage the use of therapy balls as part of your students sensory breaks, or direct students to them when they become over-stimulated and need a safe release.

 

Sensory Direct Therapy Balls

At Sensory Direct we stock a large range of therapy and peanut balls. From anti-burst therapy balls, peanut balls, sitting balls with feet, peanut balls with tactile nodules and more! Available in a range of sizes for quick despatch, you can easily place your purchase order online at sensorydirect.com.

For help choosing the right size therapy ball for your students, refer to the individual product pages or read our guide to choosing the correct therapy ball.

By Andrew Caws
Managing Director of Sensory Direct & Parent of an Autistic Adult
July 2024