As you’ve probably noticed, our classes are energetic, active, and full of movement in a sensory-rich environment. That’s very intentional. Our learning approach is based on the belief that the senses are at the base of how we learn. Building skills at the sensory level helps kiddos build the foundation they need to grow and learn in every area, including academic learning. Each activity that makes it into our lesson plan has been carefully selected for its ability to provide an opportunity to strengthen the sensory system which provides the foundation for all learning and for everything that comes next.
As always, this week we focused heavily on movement (vestibular and proprioceptive input). Not just for fun, and not to 'burn energy', but because movement is one of the brain’s most powerful tools for organising a developing nervous system.
If you imagine the Pyramid of Learning as the brain itself, the lower levels represent the 'lower brain', while the top reflects higher cognitive processes like attention, thinking, and self-control. The sensory systems sit right at the baseand it’s movement that feeds them, laying the groundwork for all later learning.
The lower brain is responsible for movement, balance, and body awareness. It needs regular input from the body to function well. When children receive the right amount of sensory input through movement, touch and play, this part of the brain becomes more organised and steady. That stability supports attention, emotional regulation, coordination and eventually higher-level learning since the brain can then focus on learning rather than just keeping the body steady.
When a kiddo's sensory system has not had enough input or is overloaded, their brain is busy just keeping things together. A kiddo who needs more movement might be wiggly and fidgety and always seeking touch and movement. A kiddo who is overloaded might tune out, seem irritable or even cover their ears. In either case, trying to regulate their bodies means that there is much less space for anything else so learning and engagement take a back seat.
This is why we take a bottom-up approach in class. By prioritising movement, play and sensory-rich experiences first, we’re helping children organise their brains and regulate their bodies. This is especially important before the busy boxes come out, since that’s a focus activity. It’s not just fun, it’s essential groundwork for everything that comes next.
Two of the most powerful systems for helping children organise their brains are the vestibular system (movement and balance) and proprioception (body awareness through muscles and joints).
Vestibular input comes from movement and changes in head position. It helps children know where they are in space, stay balanced, and regulate alertness. Rocking, swinging, spinning, or rolling isn’t silliness. It’s essential brain organising work that helps kiddos settle, manage and release energy and be ready to focus.
Proprioceptive input comes from muscles and joints working against resistance or pressure. The Occuplaytional Therapist, Kelsie Olds explains, that it 'is sometimes called the ‘universal regulator, in that nearly everybody in the world finds propriocpteive input to be regulating to their body in some way.’
She also explains that there are three types:
These movements help children feel contained, steady, and calm. Each child is different though: Yasmin might love being thrown up in the air for Giddy Up Horsey but Margaret prefers it when Mum just uses her hands for the whoa. Becky may love the big squish when the oven timer sound plays but Robert prefers to squish and ding on his own. Zayden loves a full body launch into the crash mat but Tony likes to walk over it slowly. By observing and providing these inputs, we’re helping our kiddos modulate their sensory system, giving their brain the foundation it needs for attention, emotional regulation and learning so that their bodies feel just right.
As Rachel Harrington tells: 'Our bodies never learn to process and modulate sensory input if they never have the opportunity to.'
Providing these opportunities regularly not only helps children regulate their bodies, it also helps us understand how their brain and body work together. We can see what calms them, what energises them, and what supports their focus so we can guide them in ways that actually meet their needs.
Every kiddos nervous system is different (and so is yours). So they'll respond to movement, touch and transitions in their own way. Some kiddos are ready to join the class right away, while others need a little more move time: stopping at the fountain, pressing the lift button, running down the hallway, or exploring the play table before they settle. Some might even stay close to you the whole way from the car to the studio.
By noticing what your child seeks and enjoys, you’re learning about their nervous system while helping them learn about themselves. This also helps you meet their needs in class - no need to follow exactly what the teacher or anyone else is doing. Instead, adapt, support and guide them in ways that feel right for them. When their body feels 'just right', it answers the Am I Safe? question with a resounding yes — which naturally leads to Am I Loved? and What Can I Learn? (Check your class WhatsApp chat for these graphics.)
The neat thing about class is you can bring it all home! You can use the same vestibular and proprioceptive inputs, music, movements and sensory experiences at home to help them process and modulate sensory input, connect with you, co-regulate and do it all with music and fun.
Here's a few of our activities so far this term:
· Bubs – Hop Up My Baby, Skip to My Lou, Old MacDonald, Giddy Up Horsey, Play and Stop
· Toddlers – Oven Timer Sound, Rise Sugar Rise, Play and Stop, Five Little Peas, Vegetable Soup
· Big Kids – Great Big House, Build Myself A House, Rise Sugar Rise, Oven Timer Sound, Popcorn Song
You'll find these and more, all on our Kindermsuk app
If you'd like to explore more about how children's brains and bodies develop, I can recommend a few great books from the Busy Bees library. Just shout out if you'd like to borrow one.
Remember, Busy Bees is your village - if you need any support just reach out any time.
Miss Tania 💛 🐝 🎶
