WHAT IS PROPRIOCEPTION?
Proprioception – known as the body’s “internal GPS” – helps the brain understand where the body is in relation to itself and the environment from sensory receptors in the muscles, joints, and ligaments. It helps us know where our limbs are without looking at them, maintain balance, and determine how much force to apply for various activities (i.e. to write vs. to throw a ball).
SIGNS OF POOR PROPRIOCEPTIVE PROCESSING:
Clumsy (trips, walks into things, frequent falls)
Difficulty applying an appropriate amount of force for a given task (i.e. breaking pencil tips constantly or writing so softly that letters are difficult to see/read)
Constantly seeks movement (jumps/crashes on furniture, hugs too tightly, “ants in the pants,” constantly fidgeting.)
Challenges with fine motor tasks (i.e. handwriting, manipulating small objects) Difficulty staying focused.
WHY HEAVY WORK?
It helps to regulate the sensory system through proprioceptive input.
HEAVY WORK ACTIVITY IDEAS FOR HOME AND/OR SCHOOL:
Chair/Wall Push-ups
Raking Carrying items (i.e. taking stack of library books to librarian or carrying laundry up/Down the stairs)
Washing windows
Sweeping
Vacuuming
Stretching/Yoga
Jumping Jacks
Animal Walks
Pushing, pulling, squeezing activities