Inverting the body can provide valuable stimulation to our vestibular system, which is located in the inner ear and plays a crucial role in our balance, spatial awareness, and coordination. If your child engages in vestibular-seeking behaviors, incorporating activities that involve hanging upside down may help them achieve the sensory input they crave while also reducing feelings of dysregulation and sensory-induced meltdowns.
Recognizing Vestibular-Seeking Behaviors
You might notice behaviors like:
- Inability to remain still
- Constant movement or hyperactivity
- Impulsive actions
- Rapid motions such as running, jumping, or spinning
- Roughhousing or boisterous play
- Unconventional sitting positions, like upside down or sideways on the couch
In our home, it’s not unusual for these behaviors to unfold within just five minutes. I often find myself rearranging couch cushions multiple times a day! Children who actively seek vestibular input may struggle to regulate their behavior, but fortunately, there are effective activities that can provide calming sensory input, lasting for hours when done regularly.
The Benefits of Hanging Upside Down
My kids love hanging upside down off the couch, and there are significant sensory benefits to this position. Short periods of inversion can help balance and organize the nervous system, stimulating the vestibular system and offering calming or alerting effects depending on your child’s state of regulation. This practice can be particularly beneficial during recovery from sensory overload.
Fun Activities for Inversion
Integrating upside-down play into your child’s routine can be enjoyable and beneficial. Here are some playful ideas:
- Hang from the couch or furniture
- Engage in children’s yoga
- Use monkey bars at the playground
- For younger children, sit them on your lap facing you and gently let them drop back over your knees, then bring them back up
- Lean back over a large exercise ball
- Explore gymnastics
Other Engaging Activities
While inverting the body is one of the most effective ways to stimulate the vestibular system, numerous other activities can also be beneficial:
- Freeze dance, where everyone dances until the music stops and then freezes in silly positions
- Riding bikes
- Playing on swings and slides
- Swimming
- Gentle bouncing or rocking on your lap
- Jumping on a trampoline
- Pulling your child on a blanket around the house
- Playing games like ring-around-the-rosie
Last weekend, we spent time rolling down a hill at the park, which brought so much joy and calmness to my kids – it was the most well-behaved they had been in ages!
(Note on Spinning: Spinning can also provide sensory stimulation, but its effects vary. Slow, steady spinning can be calming, while fast, erratic spinning may lead to hyperactivity or dysregulation.)
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Summary
Introducing activities that involve hanging upside down can significantly benefit children who seek vestibular input, helping them regulate their behavior and providing lasting calming effects. Simple, playful methods can be integrated into daily routines to support sensory needs.