The Hidden Senses: Proprioception, Vestibular, and Interoception

Elise Marie Pagel, a bilingual (Spanish/English) pediatric occupational therapist serving Summit County, Colorado. She is an Explorium Children's Museum member and volunteer contributing to the reimagination of the childern's museum. You can learn more about her work at her website, https://www.elisemarieot.com/

The Hidden Senses: Proprioception, Vestibular, and Interoception

When we hear the word “sensory” we usually think of five most common senses: smell, sight, taste, touch, and hearing. Have you ever wondered about the 3 “hidden senses”: proprioception, vestibular, and interoception? Occupational Therapist, Elise Pagel, is here to unpack how these senses impact child development and well-being. Let’s start with proprioception!

What is Proprioception? 

Where is my body in space? The proprioceptive system has receptors in our skin, muscles, and joints that tell the brain our body’s location in space. When you close your eyes and touch your nose - your sense of proprioception tells you where your hand is in relation to your face. Proprioceptive input also stimulates the part of the brain in charge of emotional regulation and attention.  

Why is it important for development?

Proprioception supports the development of gross motor coordination needed for safely moving around a busy classroom, riding bikes, and playing sports. It also supports fine motor skills like handwriting, getting dressed, or using utensils while eating. Last, proprioceptive input can help children stay in the “just-right” zone of alertness to stay focused and regulated during daily routines. 

Some signs your child may have challenges with their proprioceptive sense: 

• Bumps into furniture, crashes into other children, or has a hard time maintaining their “personal bubble” when in a group 

• Stomps while walking, runs hands along walls, or kicks their chair while seated

• Has challenges with “grading force” (too light/hard with pressure on their pencil, slamming doors, breaks toys/objects easily or frequently spills drinks)

• Has a hard time sitting still or attending to group circle activities

• Seeks running, jumping, crashing activities often 

What activities work on proprioception?

Any activity that puts pressure on our joints and muscles is considered proprioceptive input. This can include full-body activities such as pushing, lifting, and pulling, or more passive activities like receiving massage, big hugs, or using a weighted blanket.

What can I do at the Explorium for proprioceptive input?

The cave slide! Crawling up the stairs, going down, and then crawling out on all fours provides excellent proprioceptive input. Older kids can practice sliding down in different positions or try challenging your child to crawl out using only their elbows. 

The helicopter! Crawling in and out of the helicopter is a great place for toddlers and preschoolers to use their big muscles as they pull their body up and down from the seat.

The fishing bridge! How many ways can you walk/crawl/jump over the bridge? Can you be a snake and slither your way over the bridge on your tummy? Can you be a frog that hops and tries to catch a fly? 

The art area! Cutting and ripping materials is a great way to activate proprioceptors in the hands. Encourage your young child to rip pieces of tissue or construction paper for their project. Or try challenging your older child to cut through cardboard or cardstock. 

What activities can I do at home? 

Adding in activities throughout the day that apply pressure to the joints and muscles can support body awareness and emotional regulation. 

Having a hard time settling down at night for bed? Add some proprioceptive input to the early end of their bedtime routine. Try wrapping your child up like a burrito in their blankets and giving a massage while wrapped up to help calm their bodies. 

Child having a meltdown at the grocery store? Try having them push the cart or carry something heavy like a gallon of milk or bag of apples. Or perhaps offer a chewy/crunchy snack to give proprioceptive input to the jaw; dried mango and celery sticks are great options.

Chasing kids around at dinner time? Pick a few animal walks (donkey kicks, frog hops, bear walks) to go around the living room or take a few crashes off of the couch into some pillows or an old mattress before sitting down to eat. 

Questions or just want to chat more about proprioception? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Elise via email: elise@elisemarieot.com; or checkout her website: elisemarieot.com