After reading this article, you will:
- Understand the relationship between supporting your child's sensory needs and their emotional regulation.
- Explore the role of the proprioceptive and vestibular systems in sensory processing.
- Discover the concept of "heavy work" and how it can regulate the nervous system.
- Learn about the Whole Body Activities in The Galaxy Guide to Running My Rocket that cater to sensory needs and support emotional regulation.
- Gain practical strategies for incorporating sensory activities into your child's daily routine and creating sensory-friendly environments.
When children are overwhelmed by big feelings such as frustration, anxiety or excitement, their nervous system can feel like it is in overdrive. As parents, educators and therapists, it can be difficult to know how to help. However, there is one powerful and often underused strategy that can make a huge difference: supporting sensory needs.
In this article, we will explore how sensory processing affects emotional regulation and why ‘heavy work’ – a type of sensory input – is a game-changer in calming children’s nervous systems. We will also explain how The Galaxy Guide to Running My Rocket incorporates these strategies into playful and practical tools for home, school and therapy.
Why Sensory Processing Matters for Emotional Regulation
Occupational therapists often view behaviour through what is called a ‘sensory lens’. This means considering how a child takes in, processes and responds to sensory information from their environment and how this affects their behaviour and emotional state.
While most people are familiar with the five main senses – sight, sound, smell, taste and touch – there are three lesser-known but critical sensory systems that play a major role in regulation:
- Proprioception: The sense of body awareness and effort, such as knowing where your limbs are without looking
- Vestibular: The sense of movement, balance and spatial orientation
- Interoception: The sense of internal body signals, such as hunger, thirst or the need to use the toilet
What Is ‘Heavy Work’ and How Can It Help Big Emotions?
‘Heavy work’ refers to activities that involve deep pressure, resistance or effortful movement. These activities provide sensory input that can either calm or energise the nervous system, depending on the child’s individual needs.
Examples of heavy work include pushing or pulling heavy objects, climbing, jumping or engaging in rough-and-tumble play. The sensory input gained through these actions helps children reach an optimal level of alertness, enabling them to better regulate their emotions.
Using Whole Body Activities to Support Emotional Regulation
The Galaxy Guide to Running My Rocket includes a series of activities called The Charging Challenges. These activities are designed to meet children’s sensory needs by combining vestibular and proprioceptive input. They provide opportunities for movement, balance and coordination that help regulate and calm the nervous system.
By regularly engaging in these whole body activities, children develop body awareness, improve self-regulation and gain positive ways to channel their emotions.
Want to Learn More About These Strategies in Action?
🚀 Ready Rocket has a range of supports for parents, professionals, and educators who want to confidently guide children through big emotions in a way that's supportive, science-informed, and truly neuroaffirming.
Choose the Path That's Right for You:
The Galaxy Guide to Running My Rocket stands out among other emotional regulation tools with its unique rocket journey concept, emphasis on internal needs, and focus on promoting co-regulation towards self-regulation in a neurodiverse-affirming way. By utilising this resource, children gain a deeper understanding of their emotions and develop the skills needed to navigate them successfully, leading to enhanced emotional well-being.
Explore the Galaxy Guide Books
👨👩👧👦 Online Emotions Workshop – For Parents & Carers
🕒 4-hour self-paced training
Gain the tools and knowledge to support your child through emotional dysregulation with confidence and compassion.
Explore the Parents Online Emotions Workshop
🧠 Online Emotions Workshop – For Therapists & Allied Health Professionals
🕒 4.5-hour self-paced training
Learn a developmentally-informed, neuroaffirming approach to regulation support for diverse clients and therapy goals.
Explore the Therapist Online Emotions Workshop
🏫 Ready Rocket School Learning Program – For Educators
A classroom-ready, whole-school emotional regulation program built on the same powerful framework with extension into these concepts and more! Includes developmentally tailored content for Kindergarten, Pre-Primary, Year 1, and Year 2.
Perfect for early childhood and primary teachers looking for practical, evidence-aligned emotional literacy education.
Explore the Ready Rocket School Learning Program
References:
- Dunn, W. (2001). The sensations of everyday life: Empirical, theoretical, and pragmatic considerations. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55(6), 608-620.
- Lane, S. J., Reynolds, S., & Dumenci, L. (2019). Sensory over-responsivity and emotional regulation in children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(3), 1101-1113.
- Schaaf, R. C., & Mailloux, Z. (2015). Clinician's Guide for Implementing Ayres Sensory Integration®: Promoting Participation for Children With Autism. Western Psychological Services.
- Smith, J. A., & Mancil, G. R. (2010). Sensory processing in children with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities. Journal of Early Intervention, 32(4), 286-297.
