Lifestyle
If your child craves sensory input, one fun and effective way to help them calm down is by letting them hang upside down. Why does this work? The vestibular system, located in our inner ear, plays a crucial role in our balance and spatial awareness. Every movement we make activates this sensory system, and for some kids, this means they actively seek out vestibular experiences.
Kids displaying vestibular-seeking behaviors may struggle with sitting still, demonstrate hyperactivity, or engage in impulsive actions like jumping and spinning. If your living room looks like a mini circus—cushions askew and kids playing in every direction—you’re not alone! Children who crave vestibular input can often seem like they’re in perpetual motion. Thankfully, incorporating a few planned sensory activities throughout the day can provide the stimulation they need and reduce sensory overload and meltdowns.
The Benefits of Hanging Upside Down
My kids love hanging upside down from the couch, and believe it or not, this activity offers significant sensory benefits. Inverting the body helps regulate and organize the nervous system, providing a unique stimulation to the vestibular system. Depending on your child’s current state, it can be both calming or energizing, making it especially helpful after a sensory overload.
Fun Activities for Inverting the Head
You can easily integrate upside-down play into your child’s daily routine. Here are a few creative ideas to get started:
- Let them hang off the couch
- Practice children’s yoga poses
- Swing from monkey bars
- For younger kids, sit them on your lap facing you and gently let them drop back over your knees before pulling them back up
- Lean them backwards over a large exercise ball
- Enroll them in gymnastics classes
More Ways to Stimulate the Vestibular System
While hanging upside down is especially effective, various other activities can also provide essential vestibular stimulation:
- Play freeze dance—where everyone dances until the music stops, and then they freeze in funny poses
- Go biking together
- Enjoy the swings and slides at the park
- Swim or engage in rhythmic bouncing on your lap
- Jump on trampolines
- Pull your child around on a blanket
- Play ring-around-the-rosie
- Anything that involves movement, especially head movements
Recently, we took a trip to the park where we rolled down a hill repeatedly. The kids loved it and were the calmest they’ve been in a long time!
A Note on Spinning:
Spinning can also provide vestibular input, but the effects may vary. Slow, steady spinning can be calming, while fast spinning may lead to hyperactivity or dysregulation.
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Summary:
Hanging upside down is a simple yet effective way to provide sensory input for children who seek it. This activity stimulates the vestibular system and can help regulate their nervous systems, reducing sensory overload and meltdowns. Incorporating various play activities that involve inversion or movement can greatly benefit your child’s sensory needs.
Keyphrase: sensory-seeking child
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