elja® FAQs

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The weighted animals are all lovingly hand- sewn in Lower Austria, each bears a name , and comes with your personal message of strength . For simple preparatory work, such as cutting and ironing, we collaborate with a mental health facility in Tulln. All weighted animals and pillows are sewn in our own Austrian workshop in Michelhausen (Tulln district, Lower Austria).

There are no specifications or restrictions on the area of application. The weighted animals and weighted pillows can be used for active play , while studying and working , while driving and also while sleeping . Lying on your lap they promote concentration, for example when reading or doing homework. It is also relaxing to have a pillow on your lap/back/stomach/chest on the couch/in bed. The body perceives the weight and knows where it begins and where it ends; this promotes body-spatial awareness . You feel yourself and can therefore concentrate on other things. In the brain the impulses that the weight triggers via the deep muscles trigger deep feelings of relaxation , similar to a hug . In the elja® download area you will find a variety of application examples and game ideas .

Advantages of weight animals: • Promote concentration and attention • Support depth perception • Help to relax and sleep better • Accompany the holistic development of children • Offer sensory experiences through grasping, pulling, pushing and feeling

Which weight is right for you and/or your child is very individual. The weight does not depend on body measurements, but on personal needs. Every person has a different physical perception. The more pronounced the perception problem , the greater the concentration difficulties , or the more internal or external restlessness is evident, the more weight is needed. Age, body weight, and height are only guidelines. If no abnormalities are apparent, the following can serve as a guide: 3 - 4 years: up to 2 kg 4 - 5 years: up to 3 kg > 5 years: any weight class We are happy to offer individual advice.

No! The elja® weighted animals and weighted pillows are suitable for EVERYONE, young and old. Good body awareness is important for everyone and brings relaxation, better concentration and supports good sleep. The effect is similar to a weighted blanket and uses the concept of deep pressure. Deep touch pressure stimulation promotes the release of two brain chemicals that improve anxiety, stress, and depression. Studies have already shown that weighted blankets promote relaxation and create the feeling of being hugged. In addition, weight promotes body awareness. Good body awareness is an important foundation for development, well-being, spatial awareness, learning, and much more. Please note that this is not a medical or therapeutic recommendation or a substitute for it.

elja® weight animals can be cleaned and cared for in 3 ways: • Wipe with a damp cloth - for superficial soiling • Hand wash in warm water or under running water - with or without detergent, as desired. • Place in the freezer for 1-2 days Once elja® products have been thoroughly hand-washed, it's important to leave them out in a well-ventilated area to dry. Please shake them frequently to allow the quartz sand to dry thoroughly. This can take several days. When wet, the quartz sand has a sandy odor, which will disappear once it's completely dry. You can find out more about this here (https://www.elja.at/reinigung-und-pflege). Cleaning video (https://youtu.be/2DiS289frB8 )(https://youtu.be/2DiS289frB8) https://static.wixstatic.com/media/93e6fb_16ade4e95a4d437a94b6f9bb87b260ae~mv2.png

Wichtiger Hinweis: Gewichtstiere sind keine Wärmekissen und daher nicht für die Mikrowelle und den Ofen geeignet.

Absolutely. The kindergarten that has been using elja® weighted animals the longest has been using them since 2013. Educational added value My elja® weighted animals and pillows have been successfully used in kindergartens and schools for several years. In regular exchanges with educators, I specifically ask about their personal experiences and the perceived added value. The feedback I receive is always touching – it demonstrates how versatile and effective my products can be in everyday educational settings. Here is a summary of the most frequently mentioned added values: • Diverse sensory stimulation – Different surfaces stimulate the sense of touch – The weight stimulates the kinesthetic sense and supports body awareness – Playing creates additional acoustic stimuli (e.g. crackling, trickling) that promote hearing • Motor development - Carrying, jumping, throwing, balancing, stacking and laying strengthens gross and fine motor skills - Playing with swings, skateboards or tunnels creates a balanced alternation between activation and calming • Learning support & concentration aid - Especially helpful for children with learning difficulties, dyslexia or dyscalculia - When sitting on the lap or in the morning circle, they promote focus and inner peace • Social Interaction & Communication - Playing together promotes consideration, dialogue and interaction in the group - The child-friendly, detailed design encourages storytelling and linguistic expression • Emotional support - As "soul comforters" they provide closeness, security and relaxation - for example, when cuddling with the cat - They invite the imitation of everyday experiences and offer emotional support • Imagination & Creativity - Children use them intuitively in role-playing games, fantasy worlds and free play - The open play possibilities stimulate imagination and creative processes • Sustainability & environmental awareness - The elja® weight animals are carefully crafted by hand - They are durable, reusable materials that will accompany children for many years • Perception support & sensory integration - The animals have a regulating effect on the state of arousal and specifically support depth perception - They are an effective tool in sensory integration therapy

Pädagogischer Mehrwert Seit mehreren Jahren sind meine elja® Gewichtstiere und -kissen erfolgreich in Kindergärten und Schulen im Einsatz. In regelmäßigem Austausch mit Pädagog:innen frage ich gezielt nach ihren persönlichen Erfahrungen und dem wahrgenommenen Mehrwert. Die Rückmeldungen berühren mich immer wieder – sie zeigen, wie vielseitig und wirkungsvoll meine Produkte im pädagogischen Alltag eingesetzt werden können. Hier eine Zusammenfassung der am häufigsten genannten Mehrwerte: • Vielfältige Sinnesanregung – Unterschiedliche Oberflächen regen den Tastsinn an – Das Gewicht regt den kinästhetischen Sinn an und unterstützt die Körperwahrnehmung – Beim Spielen entstehen zusätzliche akustische Reize (z. B. Knistern, Rieseln), die das Hören fördern • Motorische Förderung - Durch Tragen, Hüpfen, Werfen, Balancieren, Stapeln und Legen wird die Grob- und Feinmotorik gestärkt - Im Spiel mit Schaukel, Rollbrett oder Tunnel entsteht ein balancierter Wechsel zwischen Aktivierung und Beruhigung • Lernunterstützung & Konzentrationshilfe - Besonders hilfreich für Kinder mit Lernschwierigkeiten, Legasthenie oder Dyskalkulie - Beim Sitzen am Schoß oder im Morgenkreis fördern sie Fokus und innere Ruhe • Soziale Interaktion & Kommunikation - Gemeinsames Spiel fördert Rücksichtnahme, Dialog und Interaktion in der Gruppe - Die kindgerechte, detailreiche Gestaltung regt zum Erzählen und sprachlichen Ausdruck an • Emotionale Unterstützung - Als „Seelentröster“ schenken sie Nähe, Geborgenheit und Entspannung – z. B. beim Kuscheln mit der Katze - Sie laden zur Nachahmung von Alltagserlebnissen ein und bieten emotionalen Halt • Phantasie & Kreativität - Kinder nutzen sie ganz intuitiv in Rollenspielen, Fantasiewelten und im freien Spiel - Die offenen Spielmöglichkeiten regen Vorstellungskraft und kreative Prozesse an • Nachhaltigkeit & Umweltbewusstsein - Die elja® Gewichtstiere werden sorgfältig per Hand gefertigt - Sie sind langlebige, wiederverwendbare Materialien, die Kinder über viele Jahre hinweg begleiten • Wahrnehmungsförderung & sensorische Integration - Die Tiere wirken regulierend auf den Erregungszustand und unterstützen gezielt die Tiefenwahrnehmung - Sie sind ein wirkungsvolles Hilfsmittel in der sensorischen Integrationstherapie

The principle is the same. Both promote depth and body awareness, which brings relaxation to the system, supports sleep, and has a positive effect on concentration. What are the benefits of weight animals? • Due to the shape of the animal, a playful approach is possible • selective physical application of the weight possible • All animals have a name. Children love identifying with their stuffed animal. • lovely design and appealing colors - a treat for the eyes • different surfaces - for tactile stimulation • the animals come with powerful messages for the heart • wonderful learning companions for school/kindergarten • compact and ideal as a lap animal for better concentration • animal companions to more lightness • Perfect for travelling - counteracts travel sickness and helps to process new stimuli