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Proprioceptive Dysfunction + Activities to Implement
Back in 2018 we did an episode on the proprioceptive system and now it’s time for a re-do!
This episode is all about proprioception - what it is, what it affects during daily life tasks, and a variety of activities and strategies to target the proprioceptive sense!
Links
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Ep 7 What is the Proprioceptive Sense?
Ep 147 Tips for Improving Body Awareness
Ep 187 Meet the Sensory Threshold
YouTube - 5 Calming Proprioceptive Activities
YouTube - Build an Obstacle Course
Proprioceptive Dysfunction + Activities To Implement
If your child seems to seek out deep pressure, loves jumping and crashing, or struggles with understanding their body’s movements, they may have proprioceptive processing challenges. Proprioception is often called the “sixth sense” because it helps us perceive where our body is in space without looking.
What Is The Proprioceptive System?
The proprioceptive system is a sensory system that allows us to sense our body's position and movement. It relies on receptors located in our muscles, tendons, and joints to send information to the brain about:
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Body Position: Knowing where our arms and legs are without looking.
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Movement Coordination: Balancing, running, jumping, climbing.
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Force Modulation: Understanding how much pressure to use when writing, holding objects, or playing with others.
Why Is This Important?
A well-functioning proprioceptive system enables us to move seamlessly throughout the day. It helps us:
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Walk without thinking about each step.
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Type on a keyboard without looking at the keys.
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Adjust our grip when holding objects of different weights.
However, when the proprioceptive system is not processing input correctly, children may struggle with:
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Motor Planning/Coordination: Difficulty with sports, bike riding, or daily tasks like buttoning shirts.
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Force Regulation: Writing too hard or too soft, breaking toys, or being unintentionally rough with peers.
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Body Awareness: Bumping into furniture or people, seeming "clumsy".
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Sensory-Seeking Behaviors: Constantly needing deep pressure input through hugs, crashing, jumping, or chewing on objects.
Proprioceptive Activities To Support Regulation
Engaging your child in heavy work and deep pressure activities provides the sensory input their body craves. Try these OT-approved proprioceptive strategies:
1. Heavy Work Activities (Activates muscles and joints)
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Carrying weighted objects (e.g., grocery bags, backpacks)
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Pushing/pulling activities (e.g., resistance bands, tug-of-war)
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Climbing, crawling, or jumping on playground equipment
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Animal walks (bear crawl, crab walk, frog jumps)
OT Tip: Use heavy work before seated tasks to improve focus!
2. Deep Pressure Input (Calms and organizes the nervous system)
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Weighted blankets or compression vests
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Bear hugs, squeezes, or rolling a therapy ball over their back
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Lycra body socks or compression sheets for bedtime
OT Tip: Deep pressure is especially helpful before transitions or bedtime.
3. Oral Motor Proprioception (Engages receptors in the mouth)
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Chewing gum, sucking through a straw, or using a chewy necklace
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Blowing bubbles, whistles, or deep breathing exercises
OT Tip: If your child overstuffs their mouth, use a mirror during meals to increase awareness.
4. Activities To Improve Force Modulation
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Hand-strengthening games (e.g., squeezing stress balls, therapy putty)
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Social stories and video modeling for appropriate touch with peers
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Handwriting strategies (e.g., weighted pencils, tracing letters in sand)
OT Tip: Visual modeling (recording your child’s movements and replaying them) can help improve body awareness.
How Proprioception Supports Emotional Regulation
One of the most powerful benefits of proprioceptive input is its ability to calm the nervous system. If your child experiences sensory overload, anxiety, or meltdowns, try these strategies:
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Deep pressure compression (e.g., bear hug, weighted vest)
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Heavy work before transitions (e.g., carrying a backpack, pushing a weighted cart)
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Breathing activities (e.g., blowing bubbles, deep belly breaths)
OT Tip: Use proprioception after vestibular input (e.g., spinning or swinging) to prevent overstimulation.
Key Takeaways
Proprioception plays a crucial role in coordination, body awareness, and self-regulation, helping children navigate daily activities with confidence. If your child frequently seeks deep pressure or heavy work, incorporating intentional proprioceptive input can support their sensory needs and overall development.
Engaging in activities like jumping, climbing, chewing, or using weighted items can provide the sensory input needed to improve focus, reduce anxiety, and ease transitions. By integrating these strategies into daily routines, you can help your child feel more grounded, regulated, and ready to engage in the world around them.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
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This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
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