09/02/2026
Most of us grew up thinking there are only 5 senses. But three more quietly shape how kids move, feel, and function every day: balance (vestibular), body awareness (proprioception), and internal body signals like hunger or thirst (interoception).
These โhiddenโ senses affect attention, emotions, posture, coordination, and even daily routines. Understanding them helps us respond with more support and less judgment when kids seem restless, overwhelmed, or disconnected from their bodies.
Did you grow up learning we only have 5 senses?
Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell were just the beginning.
There are three hidden sensory systems that play a HUGE role in how kids move, feel, and function every day, but they often get overlooked:
๐น Vestibular- the sense of balance and movement https://www.theottoolbox.com/vestibular-activities/
๐น Proprioception- the sense of body awareness and position https://www.theottoolbox.com/proprioception-activities-improves-body-awareness/
๐น Interoception- the sense of internal body signals like hunger, thirst, or the need to use the bathroom https://www.theottoolbox.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-interoception/
These "hidden" senses impact everything from attention and emotional regulation to posture, coordination, and toileting.
Understanding these systems can help us better support kids who seem wiggly, overwhelmed, or unaware of their own bodies. A great resource to better understand these sensory systems and how sensory seeking or over-responsiveness/ under-responsiveness impact function is The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook: https://www.theottoolbox.com/product/the-sensory-lifestyle-handbook/
