Understanding Sensory Processing in Young Children

What is sensory processing?

Sensory processing is the way our brain receives, interprets, and responds to information from the world around us. Our senses constantly send signals to our brain, helping us understand and interact with our environment.

But for young children, sensory processing is still developing. Their brains are learning how to process that information in a way that feels safe and comfortable.

Sometimes, this process happens smoothly. Other times, it can feel overwhelming, leading to behaviors like seeking extra movement, avoiding certain textures, or becoming overstimulated in noisy environments.

Understanding sensory processing can help parents support their child’s development and create environments that help them feel balanced, calm, and engaged.

We all know about the five basic senses:

👀 Sight (Visual) – What we see

👂 Hearing (Auditory) – What we hear

👃 Smell (Olfactory) – What we smell

👅 Taste (Gustatory) – What we taste

🖐 Touch (Tactile) – What we feel through our skin

But two additional senses play a major role in child development, movement, and self-regulation:

Proprioception (Body Awareness) – This tells us where our body is in space without looking. It helps us know how much pressure to use when hugging, pushing, or holding objects.

Vestibular (Balance & Movement) – This system controls balance and coordination. It helps us understand if we’re moving, staying still, upside down, or right-side up.

These senses work together to help children move and engage with the world around them.

How sensory processing affects young children

Think about it: right now, your body is processing multiple sensory inputs at once. You’re reading this post (visual input), hearing sounds around you (auditory input), feeling the texture of your clothing (tactile input), and maintaining balance while sitting or standing (vestibular input). Your brain filters through all of this information seamlessly, but for a young child, this system is still a work in progress.

For young children, sensory processing influences how they play, move, and interact with their environment. Their brains are figuring out:

How does my body move through space?
How much pressure do I need to use?
What feels comfortable, and what doesn’t?

When sensory processing works smoothly, children can explore and move with confidence. But when their brain has difficulty processing sensory input, it can affect their behavior, emotions, and ability to focus.

Sensory seekers vs. sensory avoiders

Every child processes sensory information in their own unique way.

Sensory seekers

Some children’s brains don’t register enough sensory input, so they actively seek big movements, deep pressure, or intense sensations to feel balanced.

They might:

Jump, run, climb, and crash into things to get extra feedback from their muscles (proprioception).
Love spinning, swinging, or being upside down because their vestibular system craves movement.
Squeeze too tightly when hugging, press too hard when coloring, or chew on objects for stronger input.
Touch everything and everyone to satisfy their tactile system.

These behaviors aren’t just “wild” or “rough” play. They’re ways for sensory seekers to help their brain feel grounded and regulated.

Sensory avoiders

Other children’s brains are hypersensitive to sensory input, meaning they register sensations as too overwhelming or intense. These children are more sensitive to their surroundings.

They might:

Avoid loud noises, bright lights, or crowded places
Dislike certain textures in food or clothing
Resist swings, slides, or climbing because movement feels unsafe
Seem startled by unexpected touch or movement

Sensory processing and self-regulation

Sensory processing and self-regulation go hand in hand. Sensory processing is how the brain takes in and interprets sensory input, while self-regulation is how a child responds to that input in a way that helps them feel balanced and comfortable.

Self-regulation isn’t just about staying calm. It’s about adapting to different situations appropriately. A well-regulated child knows when to be alert and engaged (like during playtime), when to slow down (like before bed), and how to adjust their responses based on what’s happening around them. But for children with sensory processing challenges, this can be harder to achieve.

Think of it like a thermostat for the body. When sensory input is just right, a child can play, focus, and interact easily. But if there’s too much (like bright lights, loud noises, or scratchy clothes), they may feel overwhelmed and struggle to stay regulated. If there’s too little (like not enough movement or stimulation), they may seek out extra input by running, jumping, or fidgeting.

Deep muscle sensory input, such as heavy work activities (jumping, pushing, pulling, or using a weighted blanket), activates the nervous system in a way that promotes self-regulation. When children receive deep pressure or proprioceptive input, it signals to their brain that they are safe, triggering the release of calming neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. This process slows heart rate, reduces stress, and promotes an overall sense of calm.

When a child struggles with sensory processing, their self-regulation skills may also be affected, making transitions, focus, or social interactions more difficult. By understanding how your child processes sensory input, you can help them find strategies to feel more comfortable, engaged, and in control of their body and emotions.

How can you support sensory development?

The best way to help is to provide opportunities for movement, touch, and play in a way that fits your child’s needs.

For sensory seekers:

Offer jumping, climbing, swinging, or weighted items for deep pressure
Provide fidget toys or chewy necklaces to help satisfy their need for input
Let them engage in rough-and-tumble play in a safe, controlled way

For sensory avoiders:

Give them quiet, cozy spaces to retreat when feeling overwhelmed
Respect their sensitivities by offering preferred clothing or textures
Allow slow exposure to sensory input at their pace (for example, touching sand with one finger before jumping in)

Every child experiences the world differently, and there’s no right or wrong way to process sensory input. Understanding how your child interacts with their environment helps you support their development, emotions, and self-regulation. Whether your little one is a sensory seeker, sensory avoider, or a mix of both, they’re simply learning how to navigate their world, one experience at a time.

So next time you notice your child feeling overwhelmed or out of sync, try recognizing what their body is telling you through their behavior. Are they running and crashing into things? Are they avoiding movement or covering their ears? By identifying their sensory needs, you can offer deep muscle sensory input that aligns with what their body is craving. This could be activities like jumping, pushing, carrying something heavy, or even a firm hug,whatever helps them feel more grounded and in control. Small adjustments like these can make a big difference in helping them feel safe, secure, and regulated.

By recognizing their sensory needs, you can create an environment that helps them thrive, explore, and feel comfortable in their own body.