: PROPRIOCEPTIVE SENSITIVITIES
The proprioceptive system is located in our muscles and joints. It provides us with a sense of body awareness and detects/controls force and pressure. The proprioceptive system also has an important regulatory role in sensory processing as proprioceptive input can assist in controlling responses to sensory stimuli.
Children who have difficulties with processing proprioceptive information and are hypersensitive are often classed as 'sensory seeking'.
Indicators that a student is seeking proprioceptive input:
Bites/chews on objects e.g. sleeve of jumper, pen/pencil
Hyperextends joints e.g. bending back fingers, locking knee joints
Bangs body parts e.g. bangs hands together, bangs jaw with hand
Holds objects with excessive pressure e.g. pencil; writes heavily on page
Enjoys rough and tumble play but can be excessively rough with others
Throws self heavily onto floor
Prefers to run, jump or stamp heavily when he/she should be walking
Proprioceptive Activities:
Proprioceptive activities involve providing intensive input to the muscles and joints. Some ideas are provided here but you may wish to develop your own ideas which will suit your students and your classroom routine. Think of activities which will work the muscles and joints:
Weightbearing activities e.g. crawling, push-ups
Resistance activities e.g. pushing/pulling
Heavy lifting e.g. carrying books
Cardiovascular activities e.g.running, jumping on a trampoline
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