The proprioceptive system receives input from the muscles and joints in the body about body position, weight, pressure, stretch, movement and changes of position in space. When a child's proprioceptive system is ineffective, children may constantly be in a 'fight or flight' mode in which they have anxious, emotional or behavioural responses due to their challenges identifying their body position in space.
To create proprioceptive pathways to manage these responses, children need to engage in proprioceptive activities to help them feel or remain in a 'calm-alert' state throughout the day. The goal of proprioceptive input is also to decrease hypersensitivity (over-sensitivity) to various sensory input, and to improve how children transition from one activity to the next, their energy levels and modulation, sleeping patterns and the quality of their interactions with others.
Proprioceptive input comes from tasks that involve heavy resistance and input to the muscles and joints (proprioceptive receptors). It is essential in helping the body to process both movement (vestibular) and touch (tactile) information.
Activity Ideas
Cardiovascular activities
Jumping on a trampoline
Bouncing on a bed, floor or couch (when supervised)
Running
Climbing at the playground, e.g. monkey bars, stairs, or backwards up the slide
Bouncing on a hopper or therapy ball
Weight bearing activities
Animal walks (wheelbarrow walks, crab walk, bear walk, army crawl)
Rolling over a large therapy ball and placing weight in hands and arms
Completing an obstacle course or climbing through a tunnel
Oral activities
Chewing gum
Eating chewy or crunchy foods, e.g. raw vegetables or rice crackers
Using a straw to drink thick liquids, e.g. a smoothie. The size of the straw and thickness of the liquid can change how much sucking is needed
Using an electric toothbrush
Deep pressure
Bear hugs or tight squeezes
Use of a therabrush
Deep pressure massage
Use of a body sock
Weighted products, e.g. a pillow, toy or blanket
Rolling a therapy ball over your child, being mindful of their head
Play dough and theraputty activities such as rolling and pinching, or hiding beads inside for your child to find
Squashing your child with pillows and playing sandwich games (your child is placed between beanbags, sofa cushions or mattresses and light pressure is applied to the top layer)
Catching and throwing a large ball
Heavy work (pushing and pulling)
Carrying heavy items (e.g. groceries, books in a backpack, laundry baskets)
Playing "row, row, row your boat" sitting on the floor, pushing and pulling each other
Rough and tumble play
Playing tug of war
The Vestibular System
Similar to proprioception, some children have an under-active vestibular (balance) system. This means they find it challenging to identify where their head is in space and how their body is moving, and may appear uncoordinated or have a fear of movement. Targeting the proprioceptive system can help children with their vestibular system, and some further activities which specifically target the vestibular system include:
Movement in a body sock
Riding in a swing
Swaying or slowly dancing to music
Rocking back and forth in a rocking chair
Yoga
Rocking on a therapy ball
Using a balance board
Tuck and roll
Animal walks where the head is upside down, e.g. bear walks
Bowling backwards through the legs
Swinging in a blanket
Rocking in a hammock
Riding a scooter board
Spinning
Ask your Occupational Therapist about the Astronaut Program for more information about the vestibular system.
Please note: not all activities will be suitable for your child. Please contact your local Occupational Therapist for further advice and recommendations.
