Touch. Movement. Body awareness. 

A child is receiving sensory information every moment of the day.

When a child climbs, runs, writes, eats, plays with toys, puts on clothes or explores different textures, the brain is constantly receiving information from the body and the environment.

But how does the brain make sense of all this information?

This is where sensory processing and sensory integration become important.

In this first part of our Sensory Integration Therapy series, we are looking at three important sensory systems in children:

• The tactile system
• The vestibular system
• The proprioceptive system

Understanding these sensory systems can help parents, teachers and caregivers better understand some of the ways children experience and respond to the world around them.

What Is Sensory Integration?

Sensory integration refers to the brain’s ability to receive, organise and use information from the different sensory systems.

Our brains are constantly receiving information about what is happening around us and inside our bodies.

For a child, this could mean feeling the texture of a toy, hearing a teacher’s voice, seeing a moving object, balancing while climbing or knowing how much force to use when holding a pencil.

The brain has to organise this information and use it to help the child respond and participate in everyday activities.

This process is closely connected to sensory processing.

When sensory information is processed effectively, it can support a child’s ability to move, learn, play and participate in daily routines.

When a child has difficulty processing certain sensory information, everyday experiences may sometimes become challenging.

The Sensory Systems in Children

When people hear about the senses, they often think about the five familiar senses:

Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch.

However, our sensory system is more complex than the five senses we commonly learn about.

The body also receives information about movement, balance, body position and internal body signals.

In this part of our series, we will focus on three sensory systems that are particularly important for understanding movement and body awareness.

1. The Tactile System: The Sense of Touch 

The tactile system is the sensory system responsible for processing information from the skin.

It helps the brain notice different types of touch, including:

• Texture
• Pressure
• Temperature
• Touch
• Pain

Think about how much touch a child experiences throughout a normal day.

A child feels their clothes against their skin, water during bathing, food while eating, a pencil in their hand, sand during play and different surfaces while moving around.

The tactile system therefore plays an important role in everyday activities.

How Can Tactile Processing Affect a Child?

Children can respond to touch in different ways.

For example, a child may strongly dislike certain clothing materials, avoid messy play or become uncomfortable when their hands get dirty.

Another child may actively seek out different textures or touch objects frequently.

These responses can provide useful information about how the child is experiencing sensory input.

2. The Vestibular System: Movement and Balance 

The vestibular system is located in the inner ear.

It provides the brain with information about movement, balance and the position of the head in relation to gravity.

This system is active when a child:

• Swings
• Jumps
• Runs
• Climbs
• Spins
• Changes position
• Moves their head
• Moves through space

The vestibular system works closely with other sensory systems to support posture, balance and coordinated movement.

Why Is the Vestibular System Important?

Imagine a child climbing a playground structure.

The child needs to adjust their body as they move higher. Their brain is receiving information about movement, balance and changes in head position.

This information helps the child respond to what is happening and adjust their movements.

You may also notice some children seeking out movement by constantly jumping, running, spinning or climbing.

While these behaviours may sometimes be related to sensory processing, the behaviour alone does not tell us why the child is seeking movement.

This is why individual assessment and observation are important when considering sensory processing differences.

3. The Proprioceptive System: Body Awareness 

The proprioceptive system provides information from the muscles and joints.

It helps the brain understand:

• Where the body is
• How the body is moving
• How much force is being used

This is sometimes described as our body-awareness system.

You can experience proprioception right now.

Close your eyes and lift one arm.

You can still tell that your arm is raised even though you cannot see it.

That awareness comes partly from information provided by your muscles and joints.

Proprioception in Everyday Activities

Children use proprioceptive information when they:

• Push and pull
• Carry objects
• Climb
• Jump
• Hold a pencil
• Open containers
• Walk and run
• Move furniture or toys
• Adjust the force they use during activities

For example, when a child writes, they need to use enough force to make marks on the paper without pressing too hard.

When they pick up a fragile object, they need to adjust their force so they do not crush it.

Proprioceptive information helps support these kinds of movements and adjustments.

How Do the Tactile, Vestibular and Proprioceptive Systems Work Together?

One important thing to understand about sensory processing in children is that sensory systems do not work independently.

They constantly provide information to the brain at the same time.

Let’s imagine a child climbing.

Tactile information

The child feels the surface of the climbing equipment.

Vestibular information

The child receives information about movement, balance and changes in position.

Proprioceptive information

The child receives information about body position and how much force is needed to climb.

The brain brings these different pieces of information together.

This helps the child understand what is happening and respond to the activity.

This process of organising sensory information is an important part of sensory integration.

Why Is Sensory Processing Important for Children?

Sensory processing happens throughout the day—not only during occupational therapy or sensory activities.

Sensory information contributes to many everyday activities, including:

• Playing
• Eating
• Dressing
• Bathing
• Writing
• Learning
• Moving around
• Grooming
• Participating in school
• Exploring the environment

For some children, differences in the way sensory information is processed may make certain activities more difficult or uncomfortable.

For example, a child may struggle with certain textures, become overwhelmed by particular experiences or constantly seek movement.

These behaviours should not automatically be labelled as “bad behaviour.”

Instead, they can be important observations that help parents and professionals understand the child’s needs more fully.

Sensory Integration Therapy Is Not Just About Sensory Activities

You may see activities online involving swings, climbing, jumping, messy play, brushing, weighted items or other forms of sensory input.

But sensory integration therapy is more than simply giving a child sensory activities.

A qualified occupational therapist considers the child’s individual sensory responses, developmental needs, strengths, challenges, functional goals and participation in everyday life.

The intervention should be individualised, rather than assuming that the same sensory activity will work for every child.

It is also important to remember that not every sensory activity is sensory integration therapy.

Understanding this distinction helps parents make more informed decisions about sensory support for their children.

The Bigger Picture: Sensory Systems and Everyday Participation

The goal is not simply for a child to tolerate as much sensory input as possible.

The bigger question is:

How is the child’s sensory processing affecting their ability to participate in meaningful activities?

Can they play?

Can they learn?

Can they move around safely?

Can they participate in daily routines?

Can they engage with their environment?

These functional questions are important when considering sensory processing and occupational therapy.

 

Part 2: The Other Sensory Systems

In Part 2 of our Sensory Systems series, we will explore:

Visual system — how we process information from what we see.

Auditory system — how we process sounds and voices.

Olfactory system — how we process smells.

Gustatory system — how we experience taste.

Interoception — how we notice signals from inside the body, such as hunger, thirst, fullness and the need to use the toilet.

Together, these sensory systems contribute to how children learn, communicate, eat, move, play and participate in everyday life.

Concerned About Your Child’s Development?

Early support can make a life-changing difference.

At Sensorycare, we help children with autism, ADHD, speech delays, sensory challenges, and developmental difficulties build the skills they need to thrive.

Book a consultation today and let’s discuss how we can support your child.