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Proprioception is one of those eight senses that not everyone knows about. If you have a child struggling to focus, sit still, or attend to a task, this is one of the sensory systems you want to address! Today I am sharing some of the best activities for proprioceptive input.
What is Proprioception?
Before we get to the list of activities, let's review what proprioception is for those who may not know.
There's a running joke about people having a 6th sense, but in reality, you actually have 8! Proprioception is one of those eight major senses.
Proprioception is the sense of knowing where your body is in space and in relation to objects around it. Being able to type without looking at the keys, raising your arm above your head or touching your nose while your eyes are closed is your proprioception system at work.
Proprioceptive input comes in through the muscles and joints of the body. The brain takes in this information and is able to process how your body needs to move in order to complete tasks.
You may see terms such as heavy work when looking for proprioception activities. Heavy work is another term that is used to describe the type of activities that involve proprioceptive input. Since the input comes in through the muscles and joints, activities that involve engaging this sense are often pulling or lifting heavy objects. This can have a calming or alerting effect on children who need this input.
Sensory Seeking vs. Sensory Avoiding
Children can be sensory seekers or sensory avoiders for different types of input. A seeker is a child who craves and needs that type of input in order to focus and function at optimal levels. An avoider would be a child who cannot tolerate this input and avoids it in order to feel safe a secure.
Children can be a mix of seekers or avoiders depending on the type of input, sensory system, or even activity. And each child will react differently so it's important to follow your child's lead and look for signs of overwhelm or overload during sensory activities.
The Best Activities for Proprioceptive Input
Here is a list of great activities to get started with proprioceptive input. I'll also make notes on which activities are best for seekers and avoiders.
|| weighted lap pads or vests and lycra body socks
You can purchase these or make your own DIY options. Here are a few suggestions. These can work for kids who are seekers or avoiders.
How to Make a DIY Weighted Vest – this is a round-up of 10 different ideas.
If you would rather purchase a weighted vest, I like to recommend Fun And Function or Therapy Shoppe.
|| bean bag chair to sit in
Having adaptive and various seating options, especially in a classroom is great for kids who need extra proprioceptive input to focus and attend.
|| heavy work activities
I have lots of heavy work activity suggestions for you. These are great for proprioceptive sensory seekers.
25 Heavy Work Activities for Home
12 Heavy Work Activities for School
25 Heavy Work Activities for Kids
|| swimming
Swimming is a great option for seekers and avoiders.
|| karate
|| climbing
Rock climbing, climbing up a slide or on playground equipment, or monkey bars are all great options.
|| house cleaning chores
Sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, and washing windows are all great chores for proprioceptive input. This is also a great way to have avoiders get some proprioceptive input.
|| carry groceries
Also pushing the grocery cart for older kids is a great proprioceptive activity. Our grocery store sometimes has the child size carts, if you are feeling brave! 😉
|| chair push-ups or sit-ups
This is a great option for the classroom for brain breaks.
|| wash the car
In order to get the proprioceptive input for this activity, have the child use a cloth or a brush with a handle to hand wash the car.
|| roll and push a ball
This is a great one for proprioceptive avoiders. Use a weighted ball to get a little more intensity with this activity.
|| yoga stretches
We love following Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube for lots of great yoga poses and stories. Kids Yoga Stories is also a great option.
|| pretend to be different animals and move like the animal (hop like a rabbit, slither like a snake, etc)
I like to recommend the Muscle Mover cards for Fundanoodle for animal movements. They have a lowercase alphabet and an uppercase alphabet set.
|| chew bubble gum or other scented gum
You may not realize it, but your jaw is a great way to get proprioceptive input, especially for those who are constantly chewing. Chewing gum or crunchy foods is a great way to get this input for chewers.
I hope this gives you some ideas on how to incorporate proprioceptive activities into your child's day. For more ideas, check out the links below.
You May Also Like:
- The Best Activities for Vestibular Input
- 10 Interoception Activities and Strategies for Kids
- Calming, Organizing, and Alerting Activities for Children
- What Are the 8 Senses?
