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Vestibular Activities for High Energy Kids and Sensory Seekers
This article provides vestibular activities for high energy and sensory seeking kids experiencing vestibular disruptions. Integrated Learning Strategies (ILS) is a learning and academic center. Affiliate links are included for your convenience. As a reminder, ILS is not a health care provider and none of our materials or services provide a diagnosis or treatment of a specific condition or learning challenge you may see in your child or student. If you seek a diagnosis or treatment for your child or student, please contact a trained professional who can provide an evaluation of the child.
The vestibular system acts as your internal GPS system. It’s your body’s internal guide that tells you where you are and where you need to go.
The vestibular system is a sensory system that often acts as an additional sense. We use it to maintain balance and our sense of orientation within the world.
What does it control?
The vestibular system is important for many areas of learning development and body awareness. It controls several areas of the body that impact how the brain and body functions.
Areas of the body that are controlled by the vestibular system include the following:
Balance – Helps maintain stability, postural control and steadiness
Posture – Supports the body’s postural mobility and activates postural muscles, coordination and motor movements
Head Orientation – Monitors head orientation and sudden movements of head direction providing gravitational security
Visual Motor – Impacts the way the body moves though their environment and stabilizes the eyes
Spatial Awareness – Allows you to sense your orientation in space and sends signals to the brain for position and movement
Vestibular Dysfunction
If a child experiences vestibular dysfunction, they lose their ability to control their body and will often become disoriented. This causes many problems for children who have an underdeveloped vestibular system.
Some of the physical signs you may see in a child with vestibular disfunction are as follows:
- Dizziness or nausea
- ADHD-like behaviors
- Hyperactivity and the inability to stay still
- Lack of focus and concentration
- Balance and coordination issues
- Overly emotional and struggles with self-regulation
- Known as a “close talker” or struggles with social boundaries
You may also see additional academic delays with vestibular dysfunction that may include the following:
- Trouble copying notes from the chalkboard
- Trouble following directions and completing tasks
- Trouble focusing and tracking words across the page
- Trouble with communication skills and expressive language
- Experiences blurry vision or sees letters that jump and jiggle
A child with vestibular dysfunction may also have one or more retained Primitive Reflexes holding them back. Retained Primitive Reflexes could cause additional immaturity of the vestibular system.
Vestibular Activities
There are many activities that can support your child or student’s vestibular system. When getting kids involved in vestibular activities to help with vestibular dysfunction, it’s important to remember the following:
- If a child is sensitive to vestibular input, introduce activities slowly and progress gradually.
- Offer a wide range of vestibular movements and activities that also include different speeds.
- Adjust activities based on the child’s age or level of personal and physical needs.
- Watch for signs of dizziness, nausea, vertigo or anxiety and adjust the activity if needed.
- Provide the child with different options to choose from.
#1 Swing in a Blanket
Swinging a child in a blanket is a great way to begin the process of incorporating vestibular input into a child’s weekly routine. This is a good activity to do when children are young toddlers and can progressively work-up to faster and stronger vestibular stimulation.
If you have a child who is extremely sensitive to vestibular input, blanket swinging is a good place to start. It gives you the opportunity to control the speed and movement of the child and allows them to determine what is too much or too little.
Equipment:
Soft Blanket (big and strong enough for child’s size and weight)
Swinging Instructions:
This activity requires two adults. Lay the blanket on the floor and let the child climb onto the blanket and adjust their body as needed. Both adults’ pull-up the sides of the blanket at the same time and slowly begin to swing the child. Adjust the speed and height of the movement based on the feedback of the child.
After one minute of swinging, lay the blanket and the child down on a soft surface and observe their overall demeanor. If the child is ok to continue, swing the child again for an additional two repetitions (3 to 5 repetitions total). A child who needs more vestibular input may request additional blanket swinging multiple times a day or multiple times a week. If a child is sensitive to vestibular input, only swing the child one time slowly and work up gradually to more repetitions as the body regulates to the movement.
#2 Stuffy Spinning
Using toys, tools and manipulatives with vestibular activities is a great way to motivate kids. Plush toys are soft and easy to manipulate so they become a good tool for getting kids spinning and moving their bodies.
Equipment:
Plush Toy (not too large)
Spinning Instructions:
Find a large space for the child to spin. You may need to remove furniture or other items that could hurt or get in the way of the child.
Have the child hold on to the stuffy with both hands and spin the plush toy in a circle (going as fast or slow as they prefer). After a few seconds, ask the child to stop and check on them to make sure they aren’t too dizzy or sick. If the child is ok to proceed, ask them to repeat the activity, but spinning in the opposite direction. It is important to spin in both directions to increase cross laterality and stimulation in the brain.
This activity gives the child control over how fast or how slow they want to go. If the child is too sensitive, have them gradually work-up to faster speeds. Repeat the activity 3 to 5 times, 3 days a week.
#3 Trampoline Crosses
Activities that incorporate jumping also strengthen the vestibular system. This activity also includes movement that encourages the child to cross the midline of the body for further neural development.
Equipment:
Small Trampoline (A full-sized backyard trampoline works too)
Jumping Instructions:
If the child is using a small trampoline, it’s a good idea to include a bar they can hold on to, especially if the child struggles with gravity or feeling grounded.
Ask the child to hold on to the bar while jumping and begin to cross their legs as they jump (out in, out in). Repeat the activity with the right leg in front first for 5 to 10 repetitions. Once the child is finished crossing with the right leg, ask the child to repeat the activity with the left leg in front. The child should complete the activity 3 to 5 times a week if possible.
#4 Tummy Swinging
As the child progresses from a blanket to a regular playground swing, it’s important to encourage kids to also swing on their tummy (prone position). Swinging kids in the prone position is going to help strengthen head position and the vestibular sense of adjusting the head while in motion. Because swinging on the tummy requires a child to lift and adjust their head, they can get the vestibular input they need while also building the neck muscles for better head control.
Equipment:
Park/Playground Swing
Swinging Instructions:
Ask the child to hop on the swing while on their tummy. The child can rock back and forth at first to get the feeling of the movement. Eventually, the child should be able to bring up their legs off the ground so they can swing in full motion. Adjust the speed and level of swinging as the child progresses. Swinging (both on a vertical and horizontal plane) should be completed multiple times a week if possible.
#5 Rotational Device
Using a rotational device to spin a child is a great way to gradually introduce vestibular movement into the child’s routine. Rotational devices allow you to complete spinning activities at home or in a clinical setting. You can also adjust the speed to fit the level and needs of the child. Additionally, with this rotational device, you can adjust the level of the plane to make it easier or harder for the child. The tilting mechanism on this device provides additional vestibular input and also engages core strength for more stimulation.
Equipment:
Spinning Instructions:
When using a rotational device, encourage varying positions to rotate the child (tummy, crisscross apple sauce, bottom-sitting, or on their knees). Have the child use both hands to hold-on to the sides of the device while spinning for safety purposes.
When the child is safely on the rotational device in the desired position, ask the child to spin to the right (or spin the child yourself). After five spins, stop the child and spin them in the opposite direction to engage both sides of the brain. Adjust the speed of the child as needed. Rotational activities should be done 3 to 5 times a week for 5 to 10 repetitions or more depending on the vestibular needs of the child.
#6 Rope or Ladder Climbing
Rope and ladder climbing is a great way to help the child with gravitational security when working on developing an immature vestibular system. These types of activities give the child opportunities to feel more grounded and engage both sides of the body as they climb.
Equipment:
Climbing Instructions:
If the child needs support from behind, hold your hands in the air close to their waist so they feel more comfortable and secure as they climb. Ask the child to climb the ladder or climbing wall using alternating legs and arms. Help or adjust the child as needed. Climbing activities are encouraged throughout the week for at least 10 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week.
#7 Jump Rope
Surprisingly, jump roping is not as common as it used to be. Some schools teach kids these skills at recess, but it’s mostly parents who will need to teach their kids these skills. Jump roping provides kids with the same vestibular benefits as when they are jumping on the trampoline. It helps strengthen the muscles, joints, core and head control of the body while in movement. In addition, it also requires timing and rhythm to stimulate the brain for better processing skills.
Equipment:
Jumping Instructions:
When first teaching the child how to jump rope, use a long jump rope. You may need two adults to complete this activity or you can tie the opposite end to a doorknob or chair. At first, only swing the rope back and forth, allowing the child to understand how to jump over the rope. You may need to swing the rope very slowly at first.
When the child understands and knows how to jump back and forth over the rope, begin introducing a full rotation of the jump rope over the child’s head. Call out “now” or “jump” when it’s time for the child to jump in the air. This can be very difficult for the child if their vestibular system is delayed or if they have trouble with motor coordination. As the child masters the activity, progress the child to faster speeds and then introduce them to an individual jump rope so they can do the activity on their own.
If the child is able, repeat the activity 5 to 10 times. Many kids can only do 3 to 5 repetitions in the beginning. Jump roping can be done 3 to 5 times a week.
50 Vestibular Activities List
If you need additional vestibular activity ideas, download this list of 50 activities to try with your child or students.
Integrated Learning Strategies is a Utah-based center dedicated to helping mainstream children and children with learning challenges achieve academic success. Our services provide kids with non-traditional tutoring programs within the Davis County, Kaysville, Layton, Syracuse, Farmington, and Centerville areas. Areas to find Integrated Learning Strategies include: Reading tutors in Kaysville, Math tutors in Kaysville, Common Core Tutors in Kaysville, Tutors in Utah, Utah Tutoring Programs
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