Understanding the Sensory System: How Vestibular and Proprioceptive Input Help Your Child Feel Regulated

If you’re like me, you have heard the term sensory regulation or seen “sensory toys” in the toy section of your favorite store. But what does that mean? It seems like toy makers can slap ‘sensory’ on anything, but does that make it therapeutic or helpful for your child?

Simply, there are 7 senses in our body. You may be saying, SEVEN? 

Didn’t we only learn 5 at school? 

Yes, there are 5 main senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. Our body also has the vestibular sense and proprioceptive or deep touch sense. These are key to helping kids with sensory processing and self-regulation.

Let’s dive into the lesser-known vestibular and proprioceptive senses.

1. Vestibular Sense

The vestibular sense is your awareness of balance and position in space. It is located in your inner ear and sends signals to your eyes, which means it contributes to knowing where your head is in space.

Your child may have difficulty regulating their vestibular input if they are:

• Fearful of heights

• Get car sick easily

• Constantly spinning or seeking motion-based play

Vestibular Activities

Incorporating activities that change the head position can help your child improve their ability to tolerate vestibular stimulation. For example, place your child on their belly on a stability ball and slowly roll back and forth with your support to balance on top of it.

Another option is to practice log rolling to access a favorite toy. This may also wake your sleepy child up—which is another benefit!

Calming vestibular input includes gentle rocking or swinging in a straight line, which is why it is so effective in settling an upset baby

For more vestibular activities, see this more comprehensive list. 

2. Proprioceptive Sense

The proprioceptive sense is found in your muscles and joints. It contributes to knowing where you are in space, along with your vestibular sense.

Proprioceptive input, or heavy work, is especially helpful for high-energy kids or those who need support with self-regulation.

You might notice that your child seeks more deep pressure input if they:

• Constantly jump and crash on furniture

• Frequently request tight hugs

• Appear clumsy by tripping and bumping into things

If your little one is difficult to put to bed, some heavy work as part of the bedtime routine could be beneficial!

Proprioceptive Activities

Activities that provide proprioceptive input include:

• Animal walks

• Yoga

• Obstacle courses

• Rough-housing or wrestling-type play

Use crawling, frog-jumping, or bear-walking (hands and feet crawling with the knees off the ground) as transitions from the living room to the bedroom or from the kitchen to the play area to increase muscle tone and body awareness.

Use yoga videos on YouTube before mealtime to help them settle and prepare for the table. You can also set up simple 3-part obstacle courses with objects in your house. 

For example:

• Walk on throw pillows

• Hop over a broomstick

• Place a pom-pom in a matching colored cup

This allows the child to get some wiggles out while figuring out how to move their bodies in new, challenging ways.

For more ideas on how to create a supportive space, check out my blog: Creating a Sensory-Friendly Bedroom for Your Toddler: A Guide to Better Toddler Sleep

 So, why does this matter?

Too much or too little sensory input can make a body feel ‘off’. 

You may notice your child is:

• More active than normal

• More easily irritated

• Struggling with sleep, transitions, or big emotions

Every single person has sensory needs and sensory sensitivities. By understanding your child and implementing simple sensory strategies, you can help them feel more regulated and more like themselves.

I hope these ideas get your brain thinking about how you can add sensory activities to your daily routine to improve your little one’s days.

If you have questions about your child’s sensory sensitivities, seeking behaviors, or you just want to feel more confident in supporting their nervous system, I’d love to chat and help you develop a plan that works for your family.

Click here to schedule your FREE pediatric OT consultation.