Texture Play

Makenna plays rough and sometimes doesn't know how to express herself the correct way.  Makenna often uses aggressiveness such as hitting, biting, screaming, and pulling hair to get herself heard.  We are doing what we can at home to correct this behavior but it isn't easy and very frustrating.  I feel bad for her too as I know she wants to communicate with us via words but she isn't talking quite yet minus a few words here and there. 

Dave found some information out online (he can not remember the source so sorry!) about texture play and how it can help with children who are more aggressive.  Here is what he found:

As for texture play, some children are just more physical than others. When I use the word “aggressive,” I don’t mean a child who is hurtful or mean, but rather a child who is more physical in their communication. These children require more physical stimulation, and if they don’t get it through appropriate means like texture play, they will get it through pushing, hitting, etc.

Texture play is anything that touches and stimulates some part of their bodies. Baths are great because it’s water on the skin. Some kids really enjoy shaving cream–you can put a pile on the table and let your daughter do art, or you can put a pile in an empty tub and let her play with it on the tub and her skin (before you hose them off). Sand boxes, bean tables where she can run their hands through the beans, books that provide different textures, these are all helpful.

When she gets her physical needs out appropriately there will be less to get out inappropriately.

I have to say, this makes total sense to me.  Tonight by accident the girls, I mean Maya, pulled all the cushions from the sectional on to the floor so they could jump on them, etc.  Normally I would have stopped this and had them put all the cushions back but I didn't think there was any harm so I let them.  Wow did they have fun!  Both girls laughed, giggled, and showed off their new skills.  And you know what?  No hitting, fighting, screaming, crying, biting, hair pulling, etc.  GLORIOUS!  I really like this texture play thing and will have to do some brainstorming on some other activities the girls can participate in rather than jumping on my couch cushions!
 
How do you weigh in on this?  Have you heard of it and have you tried texture play with your children?