If your child craves sensory input, introducing activities that involve hanging upside down can help them find calm. But what exactly is the vestibular system? Located in the inner ear, this system governs our balance, spatial orientation, and coordination of movement. Every action we take engages this sensory system. For kids exhibiting vestibular-seeking behaviors, planned sensory activities that include inversion can offer essential stimulation, decreasing sensory-seeking tendencies, promoting regulation, and reducing the likelihood of meltdowns.
Understanding Vestibular-Seeking Behaviors
Children exhibiting these behaviors may show signs such as:
- Difficulty remaining still
- Hyperactivity and a need for constant motion
- Impulsivity
- Rapid movements like jumping and spinning
- Engaging in rough play
- Sitting in unconventional positions (upside down, sideways, etc.)
The whirlwind of activity can transform a living room into a chaotic playground. If your home feels like mine, you might find yourself constantly rearranging cushions. Kids who actively seek vestibular input may struggle with daily functioning due to their incessant motion. Fortunately, engaging in specific activities for just a few minutes throughout the day can provide a substantial sensory boost that lasts.
The Benefits of Hanging Upside Down
My children frequently hang upside down off the couch, and there are significant sensory benefits to this act. Inverting the head can help regulate and organize the nervous system. This unique experience stimulates the vestibular system and can have a calming or invigorating effect, depending on your child’s state of regulation. It is especially useful when they are recovering from a sensory overload.
Ideas for Inversion Activities
There are numerous ways to incorporate head inversion into your child’s playtime. Here are some suggestions:
- Hanging from the couch
- Practicing children’s yoga
- Swinging from monkey bars
- For younger kids, sit them on your lap facing you, hold their hands, and gently let them drop back over your knees before pulling them back up
- Leaning backward over a large exercise ball
- Engaging in gymnastics
Other Stimulating Activities
While hanging upside down is a highly effective method for stimulating the vestibular system, there are plenty of other enjoyable activities to consider:
- Freeze dance: Everyone dances energetically until the music stops, at which point they freeze in whatever hilarious position they find themselves in
- Riding bikes
- Playing on swings and slides
- Swimming
- Bouncing or rocking rhythmically on your lap
- Jumping on trampolines
- Pulling your child around the house on a blanket
- Playing ring-around-the-rosie
- Essentially, anything that involves movement, especially head movement
Just last weekend, we visited the park and rolled down a hill repeatedly. The kids had an amazing time and were the calmest they’ve been in ages.
Note on Spinning: Spinning can also be stimulating, but its effects vary. Slow, steady spinning in one direction can be calming, while fast, erratic spins may lead to hyperactivity or dysregulation.
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Summary
Engaging your sensory-seeking child in activities that involve hanging upside down can significantly improve their sensory regulation. These exercises not only stimulate the vestibular system but also promote calmness and overall well-being throughout the day.