Does your living room often resemble a gymnastics floor? Are your sofa cushions more like crash pads than a place to sit? Do you find yourself constantly saying, “Please stop jumping on the furniture!”? If you’re nodding along, you might be raising a sensory seeker, a child who craves intense physical input to feel regulated and calm in their own body.
As a parent, this constant motion can be exhausting and, let’s be honest, a little concerning. But here at Bright Steps Parenting, we want to shift the perspective. This isn’t “bad behavior.” It’s communication. Your child’s body is telling them—and you—what it needs to feel organized and centered. Your child isn’t trying to be disruptive; they are trying to feel ‘just right.’
This page is your guide to understanding and safely meeting your child’s need for intense input. We’ll explore the “why” behind the crashing and jumping and provide actionable strategies and tools to channel that energy in productive, safe, and regulated ways.
The “Why”: Understanding Proprioceptive and Vestibular Needs
When we see a child repeatedly crashing into things or jumping with abandon, two key sensory systems are at play:
- The Proprioceptive System: This is our “body awareness” sense. It’s the information we get from our muscles and joints that tells us where our body is in space and how much force to use. For some children, this system is under-responsive. They need more and stronger input to really feel where their bodies are. Crashing, squeezing, and deep pressure provide this intense input, helping them feel grounded and secure. It literally helps them feel connected to themselves.
- The Vestibular System: Located in the inner ear, this system governs our sense of balance, movement, and spatial orientation. It tells us if we’re moving, how fast, and in what direction. Children who seek intense vestibular input often love spinning, swinging, and, you guessed it, jumping. It’s not just for fun; this movement helps their brain to feel regulated and alert.
So, when your child hurls themselves onto the couch, they are not being destructive. They are feeding their nervous system exactly what it’s asking for. Our job isn’t to stop the seeking, but to provide a safer, more structured way to satisfy it.
Actionable Strategies for Safe and Satisfying Sensory Input
Here are some practical and effective ways to incorporate heavy work and intense movement into your child’s day. The key is to be proactive, offering these activities throughout the day to prevent the pent-up need that leads to unsafe choices.
1. Create a “Crash Zone”
Designate a safe space in your home where your child is allowed and encouraged to crash and tumble. This empowers them by giving them autonomy over their sensory needs in an approved way.
- Gather soft materials: Use old cushions, pillows, beanbags, and thick blankets to create a soft landing spot.
- Set clear boundaries: “You can crash into the pillow pile here, but the living room couch is for sitting.” This teaches them to differentiate between safe and unsafe areas for intense play.
2. Make “Heavy Work” a Part of Daily Routines
Incorporate proprioceptive input (heavy work) into everyday chores and activities. This helps them get the input they need while also building confidence and life skills.
- In the Kitchen: Have them help carry in groceries (with appropriate weight), push a stool to the counter, or stir thick dough.
- Around the House: Let them help push the vacuum cleaner, carry the laundry basket, push a “wheelbarrow” (holding their legs while they walk on their hands), or help rearrange light furniture.
- Playtime: Activities like pushing a weighted ball, playing with play-doh, or building with heavy wooden blocks are all forms of heavy work.
3. Proactive Jumping Breaks
Instead of waiting for them to start jumping on the bed, schedule short, fun jumping breaks throughout the day.
- Trampoline Time: A mini-trampoline with a handle can be a lifesaver for getting out those vestibular wiggles.
- Jumping Games: Play games like “Simon Says” with lots of jumping commands (“Simon says do 5 frog jumps!”).
- Outdoor Play: Encourage running, skipping, and jumping outside where there is more space and freedom.
4. The Power of Deep Pressure
Deep pressure has a calming and organizing effect on the nervous system.
- Bear Hugs: Firm, deep hugs can be incredibly regulating.
- Pillow Squishes: Have your child lie on the floor and gently press down on their back and legs with a large cushion or pillow. This is often called a “human steamroller” or “making a sandwich.”
- Weighted Items: A weighted lap pad during seated activities or a weighted blanket for quiet time can provide continuous, calming input.
Top-Rated Amazon Products for Intense Sensory Seekers
Having the right tools can make all the difference. Here are some of our top-rated Amazon finds that are perfect for children who seek intense input. (As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases.)
- Sofa Sack – Plush, Ultra Soft Bean Bag Chair: This is the ultimate crash pad. It’s durable, filled with soft memory foam, and provides a perfect, safe spot for a child to hurl themselves into for that desired deep pressure input.
- Little Tikes 3′ Trampoline: A fantastic and safe way for little ones to get their vestibular and proprioceptive input. The handlebar provides stability, making it a go-to for scheduled jumping breaks.
- Sensory Sox Stretchable Body Sock: This stretchy body sock provides incredible full-body deep pressure and proprioceptive feedback. Kids can stretch, push, and move inside it, creating a fun and regulating experience.
- Harkla Weighted Lap Pad for Kids: Perfect for school, car rides, or homework time. This 5lb lap animal provides calming deep pressure that can help improve focus and decrease the wiggles, meeting their need for input in a less active way.
A Final Thought from The Empowered Parent
Remember, you are the expert on your child. By observing their needs and providing them with safe and structured outlets for their sensory seeking, you are not just managing a behavior—you are teaching them invaluable self-regulation skills that will last a lifetime. You are showing them that their needs are valid and that there are healthy ways to meet them.
This path requires creativity, empathy, and a willingness to see the world through your child’s sensory lens. Embrace the jumping, channel the crashing, and know that with every “heavy work” task and every “pillow squish,” you are building a foundation of regulation and trust.
We are on this journey with you. For more hands-on resources and a community that understands, be sure to explore our Etsy shop and connect with us in our forums.
You are their safe place to land.