Vestibular System

You know the importance of giving a baby tummy time to help build neck and arm muscles. As children grow they need many opportunities to practice using their vestibular system. If you haven't heard of the vestibular system here's a great definition.

Driving big rigs

"The vestibular system in the brain does more than just allow us to stand upright, maintain balance and move through space.  It coordinates information from the vestibular organs in the inner ear, the eyes, muscles and joints, fingertips and palms of the hands, pressors on the soles of the feet, jaw, and gravity receptors on the skin and adjusts heart rate and blood pressure, muscle tone, limb position, immune responses, arousal and balance."

The balloon goes up and down

While simple things such as visual tracking, walking, climbing, and swinging help to develop this system, you can always do more. Playing in sand, water, and digging in dirt are all favorites when the weather is nice. When it's too cold or too hot to go outside we build obstacle courses inside. Rocking horses, ride on toys, and even just spinning in circles are great options as well. We flip the kids upside down, spin them around, and teach them how to do barrel rolls and somersaults. 

These swings are different than the ones in our neighborhood park.

 

Once a year we have an opportunity to go to our local amusement park with my husband's company. Our kids love the rides and it isn't just for fun. This also helps them to develop their vestibular system. What are some of the favorite activities at your house for developing the vestibular system?

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