Proprioceptive Input

Feedback from muscles and joints when pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying.

What Proprioceptive Input Means

Proprioceptive input is the feedback the body gets from muscles and joints when it works against some resistance. Pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying all give this kind of feedback. Many children enjoy these movements, and some choose them when they want to feel steady, but every child responds differently.

How It Supports Daily Activities

  • Carrying a backpack or a bag of groceries.
  • Pushing a laundry basket, a wagon, or a chair.
  • Pressing firmly while wiping a table or squeezing toothpaste.

Three Starter Activities

Pick one that fits your child today. Offer choices, adjust as you go, and stop whenever your child wants a break.

Activity 1: Push the Basket

Materials

  • A laundry basket or sturdy box
  • A few soft items such as stuffed animals or towels
  • A clear floor

Simple steps

  1. Put a few soft items in the basket.
  2. Pick a start and a finish spot for the basket.
  3. Invite the child to push the basket across the room.
  4. Let the child choose how many items go in the basket.
  5. Stop when the child wants a break.

Easier version

Use a lighter basket or a shorter route.

Harder version

Add a few more items, or push the basket around a corner.

Activity 2: Wall Push

Materials

  • A sturdy wall
  • A sticker or paper target on the wall (optional)
  • Comfortable shoes or bare feet

Simple steps

  1. Stand an arm's length from the wall.
  2. Show how to place both hands flat on the wall and push gently, like pushing the wall away.
  3. Invite the child to try with whatever amount of push feels right.
  4. Count to five together, or hum a song, then rest.
  5. Try it again if the child wants to.

Easier version

Push with one hand, or push while sitting against a wall.

Harder version

Try a push with a slow count to ten, or add small movements.

Activity 3: Carry and Deliver

Materials

  • A small backpack or tote bag
  • A few books or lightweight items to carry
  • A place to deliver them

Simple steps

  1. Let the child choose what goes in the bag.
  2. Keep the load light enough to carry easily.
  3. Invite the child to carry the bag to a delivery spot.
  4. Switch to carrying a bag with two hands, or one hand on each side.
  5. Unpack together when finished.

Easier version

Use a very light bag and a short route.

Harder version

Walk farther, or carry two bags, one in each hand.

Practice Respectfully

  • Offer choices, such as which activity, which materials, or what comes first.
  • Take breaks anytime, and let your child end an activity.
  • Offer only the help your child accepts, and step back if they would rather try alone.
  • Never require eye contact or touch. Sitting beside your child and sharing attention on the same object counts as taking part.
  • Supervise any activity with small parts, and choose materials that suit your child's age.

Observing Participation

A few short notes after each try can show what is working. Keep them factual and kind.

  • Step attempted: Which part of the activity did your child try or complete?
  • Assistance needed: Did they do it on their own, or with a picture, a spoken reminder, a demonstration, or hands-on help they accepted?
  • Child's response: Did they seem curious, comfortable, or in need of a break? What did they choose?

For this skill: Notice whether the child chooses pushing, pulling, or carrying on their own, and whether they ask to stop or change the activity.

Example note: "Tried the second step with a picture cue, took a break after two tries, asked to try again later."

Related Skills

← Back to All Skills Back to Activities

Written by Chinaedu Okwumabua, an occupational therapy assistant with more than 20 years of experience supporting children with autism and developmental delays.

This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for an individualized occupational therapy evaluation, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different, so choose activities that suit your child, and adjust or stop whenever needed.