When Your Child Seeks Big Movement: Understanding and Supporting Sensory Seeking Behaviors

Does your child love to jump, crash into things, or engage in rough-and-tumble play? Do they seem to have a high pain tolerance and constantly seek out big movement or physical contact? You’re not alone—and your child’s behavior might be a sign of sensory seeking.

Some children have nervous systems that crave more input than others. This is especially common in kids who are neurodivergent (such as those with ADHD or sensory processing differences), but it can also be part of typical development. When a child is constantly on the move or needs intense physical play to feel regulated, they are likely seeking proprioceptive or vestibular input—types of sensory input that help them understand where their body is in space. (To learn more about proprioception and vestibular input, scroll to the bottom of this blog post!)

Here’s how you can better understand and support your sensory-seeking child:

1. Understand the “Why” Behind the Behavior

These behaviors aren’t about being “bad,” “too wild,” or “aggressive.” Sensory seekers often crash, bump, or wrestle because it helps them feel more organized, calm, or in control of their bodies. What looks chaotic from the outside may actually be your child’s way of self-regulating.

2. Build Proprioceptive Activities into the Day

Providing frequent opportunities for movement can help your child feel more grounded and reduce meltdowns or overstimulation. Try adding:

• Animal walks (bear crawl, crab walk, frog jumps)

• Pushing a laundry basket or carrying grocery bags

• Jumping on a mini-trampoline

• Wall push-ups or chair push-ups

• Tug-of-war or rolling games on the floor

These “heavy work” activities give input to muscles and joints that can be both calming and organizing.

3. Create a Safe “Crash Zone” at Home

Give your child a safe space to get their energy out:

• Pile up pillows, foam mats, or cushions for crashing

• Set up obstacle courses with tunnels, climbing, and jumping

• Encourage big body play in a space where safety is already built in

This helps meet their need for intense input—without turning your couch into a jungle gym (at least not all the time).

4. Use Deep Pressure for Regulation

Many sensory seekers benefit from deep pressure, which can help calm their nervous system:

• Firm bear hugs

• “Steamroller” game (gently rolling a therapy ball over their back)

• Compression clothing or weighted items (with professional guidance)

• Snuggling under a heavy blanket or doing yoga poses

  
  

5. Offer Sensory Breaks Throughout the Day

If your child struggles with focus or regulation, short sensory breaks can make a big difference:

• Movement breaks between tasks

• Slurping thick liquids through a straw or chewing crunchy snacks

• Carrying a light backpack or helping with “heavy work” chores

• Stretching, wall sits, or yoga during transitions

These micro-breaks support their need for input without overstimulation.

6. Teach Safe Roughhousing and Boundaries

It’s important to channel their energy in safe and respectful ways. You can say:

• “It’s okay to crash into the pillows, not into people.”

• “Let’s save jumping for the trampoline.”

• “You’re excited—you can high five or squeeze a pillow.”

Teaching body awareness and consent around physical play is key.

7. Partner with Teachers and Caregivers

Let others in your child’s life know what works best. Sensory seekers often benefit from:

• Fidgets or chewies at school

• Regular movement breaks

• A calm-down corner or crash zone

• Hands-on classroom jobs (carrying books, stacking chairs)

The more consistent the support, the better your child can thrive in different environments.

8. Reframe the Narrative

Your sensory-seeking child isn’t “too much”—they’re wired for big energy, hands-on exploration, and full-body learning. With the right support, their strengths shine through. They might become amazing athletes, creative problem solvers, or passionate doers.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re navigating sensory needs, you’re doing something powerful: learning how to meet your child where they are. By offering safe, intentional ways to meet their sensory needs, you’re helping them grow in regulation, confidence, and connection.

🪴 Need help figuring out what’s sensory and what’s behavior? Reach out—we’re here to support your parenting journey. Call or text 214-945-3298 for a free phone consultation!

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Proprioception

Proprioception is the body’s ability to sense where it is in space and how much force or effort is needed to move. It’s often called the “hidden sense” because we don’t consciously notice it, but it’s working all the time to help with things like:

• Coordinating movements

• Knowing how tightly to grip something

• Moving without constantly watching our body

• Feeling grounded and calm

This input comes from muscles, joints, and tendons.

Examples of Proprioceptive Activities:

• Pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy things (like a laundry basket)

• Jumping, climbing, or crawling

• Squeezing or being squeezed (tight hugs or compression)

• Chewing crunchy or chewy foods

• Playing tug-of-war

• Doing wall push-ups or yoga poses

  
  

Why It Matters:

Proprioceptive input is naturally calming and organizing to the nervous system. Children who seek proprioception might love crashing, jumping, roughhousing, or squeezing into small spaces. Others may have difficulty knowing how hard they’re using their body—like writing too lightly, hugging too hard, or accidentally bumping into things.

Adding regular, purposeful proprioceptive input can help with:

• Emotional regulation

• Body awareness

• Focus and attention

• Self-control

Vestibular Input

Vestibular input refers to the sensory information our brain receives from the inner ear that helps us with:

• Balance

• Movement

• Head position

• Spatial orientation (knowing where our body is in space)

It’s what allows a child to know if they’re moving, how fast, in what direction, and whether they’re upright or upside down—even with their eyes closed.

Examples of Vestibular Activities:

• Spinning (on a swing, office chair, or merry-go-round)

• Swinging back and forth

• Hanging upside down

• Rolling or tumbling

• Jumping on a trampoline

• Rocking (in a chair or hammock)

• Running, skipping, or climbing

  
  

Why It Matters:

Vestibular input plays a key role in coordination, attention, emotional regulation, and helping a child feel safe and centered in their body. Some children seek vestibular input because it helps them feel more in control or alert. Others may be sensitive to it and get overwhelmed by too much movement.