SENSORY SYSTEMS: PROPRIOCEPTION
Proprioception is one of our senses that we tend to be less
educated about. It is our sense of where
our body is in space, including joint position.
It is mostly processed in unconscious areas of our brain, so we don’t
often think about it. We don’t
consciously process that we raised our foot up 7 inches and forward 5 inches
when we are climbing steps, we just do it.
We have many joints in our hands, so proprioception is important for fine motor development and control. Because the information is processed in the lower parts of our brain, it also heavily influences other processes going on there. It impacts things like self-regulation of behavior and attention. If there is an issue, it generally lies with under registration of proprioception which results in issues in one or all the above areas. Helping a child find the “just right” amount of this input is very important.
Fun ways to provide proprioception would include animal walks, wheelbarrow walks, playing tug-o-war, jumping, hopscotch, playing with weighted objects, and using weighted blankets. Remember, proprioception can easily part of family chores and discipline. Have the child carry out garbage, carry in groceries, polish furniture and appliances, and carry laundry baskets.
We have many joints in our hands, so proprioception is important for fine motor development and control. Because the information is processed in the lower parts of our brain, it also heavily influences other processes going on there. It impacts things like self-regulation of behavior and attention. If there is an issue, it generally lies with under registration of proprioception which results in issues in one or all the above areas. Helping a child find the “just right” amount of this input is very important.
Fun ways to provide proprioception would include animal walks, wheelbarrow walks, playing tug-o-war, jumping, hopscotch, playing with weighted objects, and using weighted blankets. Remember, proprioception can easily part of family chores and discipline. Have the child carry out garbage, carry in groceries, polish furniture and appliances, and carry laundry baskets.
