What is it?
"Heavy work" is a sensory regulation strategy that involves activities engaging the body’s muscles and joints through pushing, pulling, lifting, or carrying. These activities provide deep proprioceptive input, which helps calm the nervous system and support self-regulation. In the inclusive classroom, heavy work can benefit students with disabilities—especially those with sensory processing challenges, ADHD, or autism—by helping them stay focused, grounded, and ready to learn.
How to use it?
To use heavy work effectively, incorporate simple activities into the school day such as carrying a stack of books, pushing a cart, using resistance bands, doing wall push-ups, or chair pulls. These can be integrated as movement breaks, transitions, or embedded into classroom routines. It's important to individualize activities based on each student’s needs and preferences, ensuring they are safe, developmentally appropriate, and not used as punishment.
Why use it?
Heavy work helps students regulate their energy levels, improve attention, and manage big emotions, making it a valuable tool for supporting participation and engagement in an inclusive classroom. For students with disabilities, it offers a nonverbal, accessible way to meet sensory needs and prepare the brain for learning. By embedding heavy work into daily routines, educators can foster a supportive environment that promotes both physical and emotional regulation for all learners.
