Vestibular Stimulation

 


Vestibular Stimulation

Essentially our vestibular sense helps us to ‘keep tabs’ on the position and motion of our heads.  Think of it as an internal GPS!

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However, our vestibular system is the most connected sensory system in our body. It works alongside our other sensory systems (including the proprioceptive sense), enabling us to use our eyes effectively and process sounds in our environment.

Our vestibular system has a HUGE impact on our physical, emotional and indeed learning skills. It is the first sensory system to develop in the womb.

After birth, our vestibular system is often likened to the ‘brain’s traffic controller’ for all the sensory information it receives. It sorts and relays incoming sensory information from other sensory organs and passes it onto to the various sensory regions of our brain.

The Vestibular Sense is crucial for a child’s development – helping them work rest and play. A typically responsive vestibular system enables a child to feel secure and confident in their body, so they can move, attend to learn, and rest.

We stimulate the Vestibular System in class through:

Rocking

Bouncing

Swinging

Swaying

Dancing

Rolling

Jumping

Spinning (carefully!!)

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All of this movement is doing a whole lot more than putting a child to sleep or making them smile. [Stimulating the vestibular system through movement] is creating a foundation for the brain and development.

This need for movement continues throughout life and is especially crucial in the developmental years, but it is essential throughout our lives to support self-regulation.


Have a musical day!!

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