Your Child’s Hidden “Power Sense”
Has your child ever…
Crashed into the couch on purpose?
Chewed on their sleeves, pencils, or shirt collars?
Slumped over the table or leaned on furniture all day?
Walked heavily or bumped into others without realizing it?
If so, your child may be craving proprioceptive input — the body’s internal sense of where we are in space and how much force we’re using. At Creating Connections OT in Woburn, our pediatric occupational therapists often see kids who seek extra “heavy work” or movement to help their bodies feel calm and organized.
These aren’t just quirks — they’re often signs your child’s proprioceptive system needs support. The good news? There are tons of fun, OT-approved activities you can do at home to help!
What Is the Proprioceptive System?
The proprioceptive system helps your child:
Know where their arms, legs, and body are without looking
Use the right amount of pressure (hugging gently, not breaking the crayon!)
Stay upright, coordinated, and focused
Feel calm and regulated
When this system is under-responsive, kids might seek more input by crashing, chewing, or roughhousing. Others might struggle to know how much force to use or when to slow down.
Simple OT-Approved Proprioceptive Activities
Here are a few therapist-recommended “heavy work” ideas our Woburn OT team uses in sessions — perfect for home, too!
Movement & Pushing
Push laundry baskets, weighted boxes, or toy bins
Wall push-ups or “chair push-ins” at the table
Carry groceries, water bottles, or a backpack with books
Crawl under pillows or climb up slides
Jumping & Whole-Body Work
Jump on couch cushions or a small trampoline
Try animal walks (bear, crab, frog)
Create an obstacle course with rolling, crawling, and hopping
Hand & Mouth Work
Squeeze stress balls, Play-Doh, or putty
Chew crunchy snacks (pretzels, carrots) or use a chewy necklace
Sip thick drinks like smoothies through a straw
Hang from monkey bars or play tug-of-war
These activities help build body awareness, improve coordination, and regulate emotions — all key areas we support through occupational therapy in Woburn.
Parent Tips for Supporting Proprioception at Home
Add Heavy Work Daily
Incorporate pushing, pulling, and jumping into routines — before homework, during screen breaks, or at bedtime.
Use Input to Calm or Focus
If your child seems restless or overstimulated, try wall sits, crawling games, or deep pressure hugs.
Create a Safe “Crash Zone”
Set up a space with beanbags or pillows where your child can safely jump, crash, and reset.
Notice Their Patterns
Observe what helps: movement, chewing, or squeezing? Tailor activities to what regulates them best.
When to Reach Out for Support
Every child’s sensory system is unique. If your child struggles with coordination, attention, or self-regulation, our pediatric occupational therapists in Woburn can help create a personalized plan.
At Creating Connections OT, we’re here to help your child thrive—emotionally, physically, and socially. If this post resonated with you and you're wondering what the next step looks like, our New Client Page has everything you need. From what to expect in your first session to how we support your child’s unique goals, it’s all just a click away.