Vestibular vs. Proprioceptive: Understanding the 7 Senses (And Why Your Kid Loves to Jump)
Most of us grew up learning about five senses. But occupational therapists, sensory processing researchers, and early childhood experts recognise seven — and the two extra ones explain a lot about why your child spins until they're dizzy, crashes into furniture, and jumps off every available surface. Understanding all seven senses can transform the way you see your child's behaviour.
The 7 Senses: A Quick Rundown
The five familiar senses — sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch — are just the beginning. The vestibular sense, housed in the inner ear, governs balance, movement, and spatial orientation. It's the sense that tells your body which way is up, whether you're moving or still, and how fast you're going. The proprioceptive sense, processed through muscles and joints, provides feedback about body position, force, and pressure — it tells you where your body is in space without having to look.
These two 'hidden' senses are critical for coordination, emotional regulation, focus, and body awareness. Children are often working very hard to regulate and develop these senses — and their seemingly chaotic physical behaviour is frequently purposeful sensory-seeking.
Why Kids Love to Jump, Spin, and Crash
When your child is spinning in circles, jumping on the trampoline, rolling down hills, or purposefully crashing into the couch, they are feeding their vestibular and proprioceptive systems. This is not misbehaviour — it is their nervous system asking for the input it needs to feel regulated and focused.
This is especially noticeable in children with sensory processing differences, ADHD, or autism, who may need significantly more sensory input than the average child to reach a regulated state. But all children benefit from regular movement and physical sensory input — it directly improves their capacity to focus, sit still, and engage in fine motor tasks.
How to Support All 7 Senses Through Play
A play environment that supports all seven senses doesn't have to be elaborate. Swings and climbing structures provide vestibular input. Carrying heavy objects, pushing a trolley, or working with firm clay provides proprioceptive input. Water play stimulates touch. Scented play materials engage the olfactory sense. Brightly coloured, visually interesting materials engage sight.
Sensory play kits that combine multiple sensory elements — varied textures, engaging scents, visual interest, and materials that require physical manipulation — are particularly valuable because they address the whole sensory system simultaneously. Little Explorers Box kits are designed with this holistic sensory approach in mind, providing experiences that nourish and regulate the whole child.
When to Seek an Occupational Therapy Assessment
If your child seems significantly more (or less) sensitive to sensory input than their peers, is regularly overwhelmed by environments that don't bother other children, or has persistent difficulty with balance, coordination, or body awareness, it may be worth speaking with your GP about a referral to a paediatric occupational therapist.
Occupational therapy for sensory processing differences is widely available across Australia, and early intervention can make a meaningful difference to a child's comfort, regulation, and ability to engage with the world. Understanding your child's sensory profile is one of the most insightful things a parent can do.
Nourish all 7 senses with Little Explorers Box — multi-sensory, taste-safe play kits designed by experts.