Supporting your child’s proprioceptive system

Proprioception helps us perceive our body's movements position in space. This is one of my favorites of the sensory systems because it is so impactful on daily activities. Letting a child run, jump, climb, and crash can help regulate the body so they can focus and participate better in seated activities. It helps develop balance, coordination, and motor skills. And, it assists with helping a child feel secure in movement tasks like climbing stairs, going down a slide, or swinging.

Climbing: A Full-Body Workout

Climbing challenges the entire body and enhances proprioceptive input through:

• Muscle Activation: Engages various muscles for grip and balance, providing feedback to the brain.

• Spatial Awareness: Improves judgment of distances and angles.

• Problem-Solving Skills: Encourages strategic thinking while navigating routes.

Jumping: Energizing Proprioceptive Input

Jumping also stimulates proprioception with benefits like:

• Impact Feedback: Landing provides strong input, improving joint stability.

• Balance and Coordination: Requires control and enhances these skills.

• Dynamic Movement: Encourages quick adaptations for agility.

You can easily incorporate Proprioception through activities like these:

• Visit a Local Park: Utilize climbing structures and open spaces.

• Add Climbing Features at Home: Climb and/or crash on pillows, couch cushions, or stuffed animals (My kids probably have enough to fill a small pool…which is another great option for a soft “ball pit”).

  If you have the space, a system like this https://amzn.to/41emXFZ is great for a variety of climbing tasks. A slackline obstacle course is another great option for lots of input. https://amzn.to/3BgaHdm

• Create an Obstacle Course: Use animal walks, hopping, skipping, jumping jacks, crawling, and burrito rolls (roll the child up in blankets or yoga mats) for great input. You can also add in sensory toys and household items for jumping, balancing, and climbing fun. Some options may include:

• Stepping stones

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• Mini trampoline

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• Balance ball trainer

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• Balance beam

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• Scooter boards

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• Exercise balls

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• Crash pad

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Proprioceptive input can be used to improve transitions such as getting home from school, before or after meals, and before bed. Providing movement breaks can help improve focus when a child has been sitting for too long and attention fades.

The most important thing is to make it fun! Use a variety of movements to make it a game while improving balance, coordination, and body awareness. Get involved and do the activities with them if you can.

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