Introduce
Basic sensory systems such as tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive senses, are crucial for a child’s physical development. These senses help children develop body awareness, balance, and coordination, which are essential for later skills like sitting still, writing, and focusing on tasks.
This pyramid is a helpful way to show how the development of our central nervous system supports all physical activity and learning. At the base, we start with sensory processing, which allows us to move. Stockport NHS Occupational Therapy team has developed training which provides an introduction to our 7 sensory systems, exploring how our sensory systems develop and how important they are in our early years and childhood. There are also ideas and strategies to support children’s sensory processing needs. You can find this resource here.
The next step builds on sensory processing to develop perceptual motor skills, and at the top, cognitive learning. Each stage relies on the one below, but they can overlap. Some children might pick up higher-level skills but struggle when those skills become more complex. For example, a child may learn to write but later struggle with speed or fluidity. If a baby isn’t allowed to explore objects with their mouth, they may have trouble feeding themselves later because they didn’t fully develop hand-to-mouth coordination.
Parents (and even some practitioners) might not realise when certain skills are underdeveloped. They see their child rolling, sitting, and walking and think they are hitting all their milestones, but there’s much more to development. All these early skills build the foundation for more complex tasks and school readiness.
Develop
Watch the following mini-series of videos to help you understand the foundation for physical development:
Proprioception:
Vestibular System:
Touch:
Reflect
Stop and Reflect: The following questions focus on the foundations of physical development and the role of tactile, vestibular and proprioceptive senses:
– How might you incorporate a variety of tactile experiences (e.g., different textures, temperatures, and materials) into daily activities to enhance children’s sensory development?
– What range of activities might stimulate the vestibular system, while also ensuring children’s safety and comfort?
– Are there opportunities for you to engage children in heavy work activities, such as lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects, to strengthen their proprioceptive sense?
– How can you create a balance between stimulating the tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive senses in daily routines and activities, ensuring each child’s needs are addressed?