Improve Proprioceptive Input With These Fun Activities.
Debra Em
In your downloads, the Smiley Jumps activity is all about proprioceptive input. When children do jumping activities, they call into play the proprioceptive sense. This sense helps children know where they are in space by sending information to the brain. This knowing helps children focus better. The input to their muscles and joints increase focus and works like a St. Patty’s day four leaf clover charm.
Instead of telling children to focus, teach them how to focus. Talk less. Show more. When the unfocused leprechaun comes to your classroom, try Smiley Jumps.
Providing children with opportunities to teach their mind-body systems to focus is one of the most important things we can do for life-long learning. As an adult, I use these proprioceptive strategies to stay focused when I’m at the computer for long stretches. It’s a great way to give the brain and visual system a break from the computer by engaging the whole body.
Keep in mind that when children see us doing the activities, they value them even more. For modifications, if a child is in a wheelchair, the child can turn the wheelchair right, left, and center instead of jumping but to improve proprioception, give the child’s arms or legs a squeeze while they move their wheelchair if the child can feel the input.
If you want to watch an informative video about proprioception that’s short and engaging, head on over to YouTube and watch it here.
