Heavy Work and Deep Pressure Movement Regulation Cards

A trauma‑informed, neurodivergent‑affirming movement pack designed to support grounding, body awareness, and emotional regulation through deep pressure and heavy‑work actions. These cards help children feel steady, strong, and safe by activating the proprioceptive system — the body’s natural calming pathway.

Perfect for transitions, sensory overwhelm, co‑regulation moments, and predictable regulation routines at home, school, or in therapy settings.

✨ What’s Inside

A full set of 25 heavy‑work + deep‑pressure movement cards, directly based on your PDF:

✔ Upper‑Body Heavy Work

Supports grounding, strength, and emotional safety:

• Wall Push

• Chair Push‑Ups

• Table Push‑Downs

• Door Frame Push

• Hand Press (Palm‑to‑Palm)

• Shoulder Squeeze

• Self‑Hug Squeeze

✔ Lower‑Body Heavy Work

Helps release tension and build stability:

• Slow Stomps

• Heel Drops

• Squat + Hold

• Lunge Press

• Seated Leg Press

✔ Whole‑Body Deep Pressure

Provides full‑body grounding and nervous‑system down‑shifting:

• Pillow Hug / Pillow Squeeze

• Weighted Carry (book, beanbag, soft weight)

• Backpack Carry (light load)

• Bear Walk (slow + heavy)

• Crab Walk (slow + controlled)

• Turtle Shell (curl + squeeze knees)

✔ Push / Pull Movements

Supports strength, bilateral coordination, and proprioceptive input:

• Tug‑of‑War with a Towel

• Heavy Blanket Pull

• Pull the Wall

• Resistance Band Pull‑Apart

• Slow Rope Pull (imaginary rope works too)

✔ Grounding + Compression Tools

Helps children reconnect with their bodies and feel safe:

• Knee Press

• Hand‑Over‑Hand Compression

✔ Plus:

• 1 Instructions card

• 1 Suggested Uses card

• Trauma‑informed cues

• Visual icons for each movement

• Flexible routines for mixed‑ability groups

🌈 Designed for All Learners

Every card is:

• low‑stim and accessible

• neurodivergent‑affirming

• predictable and gentle

• trauma‑informed

• easy to use independently or with an adult

Supports:

• emotional regulation

• sensory integration

• proprioceptive input

• transition readiness

• co‑regulation

• movement confidence

• body awareness

• breath coordination

💛 Why It Works

Your PDF explains this beautifully:

• “Heavy work and deep pressure movements support regulation by activating proprioceptive input.”

• “They help children feel grounded, strong, and steady.”

• “These movements offer a safe, predictable way to downshift.”

Heavy work is one of the most effective, research‑supported ways to calm the nervous system — especially for neurodivergent learners.

📦 Perfect For

• educators

• OTs, PTs, SLPs

• parents & caregivers

• early childhood settings

• neurodivergent learners

• mixed‑ability classrooms

• calm corners & sensory rooms