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- Mom on the Clock #010
Mom on the Clock #010
Kid needs Attention? Try Lifting a Laundry Basket
Eliana Savitsky
July 04, 2025
✨ Hey there!
Ever notice how sometimes your kid can’t sit still… until they’re doing something physical?
That’s not just burning energy—it’s building focus.
Heavy work (a.k.a. big muscle movement + resistance) is one of the best-kept secrets for helping kids stay calm, centered, and more in control of their attention.
Here’s what we’ve got for you this week:
Easy ways to add “heavy work” to your kid’s daily routine—no gym required. Whether your child struggles with attention or you’re looking to prevent it down the line, these activities give their brain the input it craves to stay regulated.
✨ First Things First: Quick Wins for You
These tools help your child push, pull, and carry their way into calm—at home, on the go, or during transitions.
🧺 Laundry Basket Races – Load it up with books or cans and have them push it across the room.
→ Household item turned sensory tool!
🧱 Weighted Vest or Weighted Dog– Carrying something with a little heft builds body awareness and engages the core.
→ Get these Weighted Vests https://a.co/d/3WQZAJ7
→ Get these Weighted Dogs https://a.co/d/9k3EOk7
📦 Pillow Pile Jumps – Stack couch cushions or floor mats and let them jump, crawl, and crash.
→ Big input, big fun.
🎒 Heavy Backpack Trick – Fill a small backpack with a couple of water bottles or books and let them wear it for 10–15 minutes during chores or transitions.
→ Keep it under 10% of their body weight.
🛒 When Shoe Boxes Saved the Morning
One morning, I was frantically trying to get dressed for work—half dressed, coffee cooling, and my toddler was zooming in and out of my closet like a tornado on a mission. I needed five uninterrupted minutes, and he needed something to do.
So I gave him a job:
“Can you bring me all the shoe boxes from the other side of the room?”
You’d think I gave him a superhero assignment. He proudly hauled over box after box—some stacked, some upside down—and each trip gave me a little more breathing room. But the real win? His whole body was engaged, his mind was focused, and he felt so important.
It was heavy work in disguise—and it worked like magic.
🏋️♀️ What Is Heavy Work?
Heavy work refers to proprioceptive input—the kind that comes from lifting, pushing, pulling, or climbing.
It engages the muscles and joints, which sends signals to the brain that help organize movement, attention, and emotions.
It’s especially helpful for kids who:
Struggle to sit still
Have big reactions to small frustrations
Seem “wild” or constantly in motion
Or just need a midday reset
⏱️ Daily Heavy Work Routine (10–20 min/day)
You don’t need fancy equipment—just consistency. Here’s an easy rotation:
Morning Reset (5 mins):
Jump on a mini trampoline or do 10 pillow pile jumps.
Carry a heavy object from one room to another.
Afternoon Boost (5–10 mins):
Push/pull a laundry basket or loaded box around the house.
Do 3 “animal walks”: bear crawl, crab walk, or frog jumps.
Evening Wind Down (5 mins):
Roll up in a blanket burrito, or sandwich between couch cushions (with supervision).
Slow, firm squeezes on arms and legs while reading a book.
🧠 Why It Works
Heavy work activates the proprioceptive system—basically, the body's GPS.
When that system gets strong input, it helps kids:
Focus better
Regulate emotions
Sit still longer
Sleep more soundly
It’s like giving their nervous system a grounding wire—especially on days when everything feels a little too much.
Wrapping Up for Today
Whether your child is wired or worn out, heavy work is a go-to tool to bring them back to center.
Start small, stay consistent, and watch how a little lifting goes a long way.
Big high-five,
Eliana, OT & Mom
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