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Kids, by nature, are movers. They learn by moving through their environment with their 8 senses. When kids are jumping and climbing they are also using the 6th and 7th senses of the vestibular and proprioceptive systems.
Yes, you really do have a 6th sense. Today we are going to be looking at some simple ways to include sensory activities for kids who love to climb and jump.
My daughter is two years old, so we are right at that stage where jumping and climbing are about all she does. My husband asked me the other day “Does she EVER sit still?” My answer was, “Nope!' But that is how it should be. At two years old, she is learning about the world around her through movement.
She is learning that when she tries to swing on the back of a chair that it most likely will fall back on her (not that we have any experience with this at all). She is realizing how much strength she has in her legs for jumping and that she can actually get both feet off the ground.
My daughter has always loved movement. From the time she was very little, she loved flying through the air with daddy and grandpa. She never shied away from any type of movement. She has never shown any fear of anything.
What is a Sensory Seeker?
I have always described Ellie as a vestibular and proprioceptive sensory seeker. So what do I mean by that?
A sensory seeker is a child who looks for, craves, or seeks certain sensory input. Sensory input can come through touch, sight, hearing, taste, smell, or movement (vestibular input and proprioception).
A sensory avoider is a child who has a fear of, avoids, or does not enjoy certain sensory inputs.
For a quick reference, vestibular input has to do with balance and movement of the inner ear. So movement that involves the head in many different positions is considered vestibular.
Proprioception is sensory input from the large muscle groups (legs and arms) and the spine.
So what does this have to do with jumping or climbing?
Climbers and Jumpers are Craving Proprioceptive and Vestibular Sensory Input!
They are craving that heavy work, deep muscle, and head tilting movement. And climbing and jumping give them the input they crave.
So you have a child who loves to jump and climb on EVERYTHING. At times they may try to jump or climb on things that are not safe. Can we monitor this 24/7? Of course not. Accidents happen.
My daughter, for example, learned quite quickly that if she tried to hang on the back of the dining room chair, it would come back on her. She hasn't tried to hang on to it since. She has moved to hang on the refrigerator door handles or the stove handle. She keeps me on my toes.
You may have a child who will continue this type of behavior because they crave that input so much that safety concerns don't even phase them.
As parents, educators, and family members,we can provide these sensory seekers with the input they need to help decrease the chances of them trying to climb on or jump on unsafe things.
6 Ideas for Sensory Input for Jumpers and Climbers
1. Take your child to play on a playground.
This one may seem like a no-brainer. But getting your child outside for a movement or brain break is going to help them get the sensory input they need. Climbing on the playground equipment, swinging, and jumping over, under, or around playground objects will help them fill that need for vestibular or proprioceptive input.
2. Gymnastics or Tumbling Lessons (if possible)
I realize that not all families are able to do this because of money or distance. But if you are able to I highly suggest doing gymnastics or tumbling lessons. I plan on taking my daughter to tumbling classes this winter when it will be hard to get outside for climbing and jumping. Not only will it provide the needed proprioceptive and vestibular input, but it is also great for core strengthening, balance control, and many other gross motor skills.
3. Make an indoor crash pad
Get some gym floor mats (the thick ones), bean bags, blankets, etc. Make a huge pile and make sure it is safe enough for a child to jump into and not get hurt. Then have a flat surface for them to climb onto (couch, chair, etc) and have them jump into the pile of fluff! I guarantee they will have hours of fun doing this. And of course, please do not do this activity if you cannot be around the monitor.
Here is a great suggestion for a DIY crash matfrom the Kids Activities Blog.
4. Get a Mini Trampoline
My husband got this Mini Trampoline recently for my daughter with some birthday money. She L.O.V.E.S it. Plus it is saving my couches, so mommy loves it too! 🙂
5. Doorway pull-up bar
It may seem like this one doesn't fit with jumping or climbing, but it does. Pull-up bars will provide that heavy work and deep muscle movement your child craves. Of course, these are best for older children, not toddlers or younger children.
6. Make an indoor jungle Jim obstacle course
Make your DIY Crash mat from above, have pillows, beanbag chairs, wooden chairs, tunnels, or any other type of object that allows your child to climb on or through and jump on. Make an obstacle course in your house or outside. Have a race to see who can get through the fastest etc. Make it fun for the entire family.
Here are a couple of activity suggestions:
You May Also Like:
- Laundry Basket Push Game
- Tunnel Crawling Game
- Motor Skill Preposition Game – Tot Schooling
- The Best Activities for Vestibular Input
Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with experience in school-based OT services for preschool through high school. She uses her background to share child development tips, tools, and strategies for parents, educators, and therapists. She is the author of many ebooks including The Basics of Fine Motor Skills, and Basics of Pre-Writing Skills, and co-author of Sensory Processing Explained: A Handbook for Parents and Educators.
Heather Greutman, COTA
