The Hidden Sensory Systems Every Parent Needs to Know
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The 3 Hidden Sensory Systems Every Parent Should Understand
Supporting Emotional, Physical & Sensory Regulation — Safely and Simply
When we think about the senses, most of us name five: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. But your child’s behavior, emotions, and regulation are deeply influenced by three often-overlooked sensory systems:
Proprioception (body awareness)
Vestibular (movement & balance)
Interoception (internal body sensations)
These hidden systems are the foundation for your child’s ability to stay calm, focused, coordinated, and emotionally regulated.
The Root of Dysregulation: What’s Happening Beneath the Surface
When these sensory systems are dysregulated, your child’s nervous system may feel unsafe — even if there’s no clear or visible cause.
Proprioceptive challenges can leave children feeling unanchored, often resulting in crashing, climbing, rough play, or restlessness.
Vestibular difficulties may lead to fear or discomfort with movement activities like stairs, swings, or playground equipment.
Interoceptive dysregulation can make it difficult for children to recognize hunger, thirst, fullness, or even their own emotional states like anxiety, frustration, or overwhelm.
Often, what appears to be "behavior" — meltdowns, picky eating, avoidance, or clinginess — is actually a sign that your child’s nervous system is struggling to organize these hidden sensory inputs.
Simple, Safe Ways to Support Regulation at Home
The encouraging news is that supporting these systems doesn’t have to be complicated. Small, consistent sensory experiences can help the body feel safe and grounded:
Proprioception: Incorporate heavy work activities like pushing, pulling, carrying, jumping, or using safe weighted tools like the Calmily Perfectly Weighted Pillow.
Vestibular: Offer slow, rhythmic rocking, swinging, spinning (within comfort zones), or gentle upside-down play. Head below the belly button.
Interoception: Practice mindfulness check-ins (“How does your tummy feel right now?”), guided breathing, and calming weighted input that supports internal body awareness.
When we provide safe, targeted input to these hidden sensory systems, children feel more secure, regulated, and able to navigate daily demands with greater ease.
How Weighted Input Sends Safety Signals to the Brain
The Calmily Perfectly Weighted Pillow was thoughtfully designed to gently engage two of these key sensory systems:
Proprioception: The evenly distributed weight offers deep pressure input, helping your child’s body feel grounded and organized.
Interoception: The soothing, calming weight draws attention inward, allowing your child to better recognize and respond to their body’s cues.
Weighted input works by sending calming signals directly to the brain, lowering stress responses and supporting regulation from the inside out.
If your child struggles with transitions, meltdowns, sleep challenges, or focus, addressing these hidden sensory systems can be a powerful step forward.
👉 Discover how Calmily supports regulation through the hidden sensory systems.