Beginning to Understand the Importance of Movement

Is your child’s body working for him or against him?

The purpose of the following activities is to promote better movement, balance, equilibrium, vestibular processing and integration.  Much research has been and is currently being done to show the need for and importance of movement.  Remember again these activities are to be encouraged and/or suggested not forced on any child.

PROPRIOCEPTIVE input refers to the feedback from the muscles and joints providing information about where the body is, where it is moving, and how much force is being used.  This type of information is essential to the body MOTOR PLANNING, SEQUENCING, and DEVELOPING POSTURAL STRENGTH.

Here are some calming and organizing body activities that mean heavy work is needed.

• Wall pushes
• Moving heavy objects (furniture, vacuuming, carrying several books in a back pack, mopping)

When TACTILE input (for protection, discrimination, and often calming) is needed:

• Hand fidgets
• Chewing sugarless gum (increases alertness and organizing)
• Sour Candy (increases alertness) like lemon drops
• Small carrots

The VESTIBULAR system mechanism is located in the inner ear and is activated by movement or by changing head position.  It is a very important sense, but it is often taken for granted.

Movement is a potent sensory input and must always be used with caution and carefully monitored.  Providing vestibular types of activities is usually fun and easy.  Many childhood games such as jumping, tag, swinging and merry-go-round involve a significant amount of movement.

Precautions against falling or bumping are a necessity.  The movement sensation itself – mainly spinning – can be intense, disorganizing, and potentially harmful to the child.  When equipment is used to encourage vestibular activities, THE CHILD SHOULD BE IN CONTROL.  For instance, a hammock can be hung low enough to the ground so that the child can easily make it go or stop.  Additionally precaution should be taken for the child with slow processing or poor language development.

• Office chair that spins and/or has rollers 
• Rocking chair
• Bouncing on exercise ball
• Tree swing or tire swing
• Trapeze work
• Swinging, merry-go-round, slides

This is just a beginning look at Sensory Integration.  More later!   Katherine