Ever wonder why your child notices sounds you don't hear, or why that "simple" bedtime routine becomes a sensory obstacle course? Let's get curious about your child's incredible eight-sensory system and discover how sensory processing creates the foundation for everything else.
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You've seen it: your child covers their ears at birthday parties, melts down over a scratchy tag, or can't get enough of spinning in the living room.
It's not "overreacting" or "being dramatic." It's sensory processing — the way their brain and body take in and respond to the world.
Every second, your child's brain receives around 11 million bits of sensory data — the equivalent of downloading an entire song every second. But only about 40 bits reach conscious awareness. The rest is automatically sorted and filtered by systems that are still under construction in childhood.
Why that matters: Kids' “filters” aren't as efficient as adults', so sounds, sights, textures, or movement might hit harder — or barely register.
Most of us learned the "big five" senses in school — sight, sound, touch, taste, smell. But your child's brain actually runs on eight sensory systems:
When these systems are in sync, your child feels grounded and ready to learn. When one is "off," the ripple can affect emotions, focus, and behavior.
We’ll go deeper into vestibular, proprioceptive, and interoceptive systems in later articles — they’re the hidden powerhouses.
Every child processes sensation differently, but you might often see a mix of these patterns:
The brain lets in too much sensory input and sometimes treats it as a potential threat.
At home, you might see: covering ears during vacuuming, avoiding crowds, rejecting certain clothes.
The brain doesn't always register input strongly enough.
At home, you might see: not noticing name being called, high pain tolerance, sometimes seeming “spaced out.”
The brain often craves more input than it naturally receives.
At home, you might see: constant movement, crashing into things, chewing on clothing or pencils.
You're supporting the nervous system they have now, rather than expecting them to process like an adult's. This often reduces stress, increases learning readiness, and builds self-awareness over time.
No two proprioceptive systems are alike. Your child might seek deep pressure during play but avoid certain types of climbing, or they may crave movement one day and prefer stillness the next. These shifts can depend on fatigue, mood, or what other sensory systems are doing.
Building this pattern map helps you spot when to add proprioceptive input — and when to dial it down.
Parent Takeaway: Your child's reactions are often their brain-body system doing its best to navigate the world — not misbehavior. When you read their sensory patterns, you can sometimes meet needs before behavior spirals.
If you like knowing exactly why these strategies work — or you want credible language to share with teachers, therapists, or family — here's your science deep dive.
Sensory signals travel from specialized receptors (in eyes, ears, skin, etc.) → peripheral nerves → brainstem (traffic hub) → thalamus (“brain's receptionist”) → cortex (processing HQ). In kids, the “filter” steps are still maturing, which is why more input slips through unedited.
All sensory systems talk to each other via neural networks spanning the brainstem, thalamus, and cortex. Disruption in one (e.g., visual overload) can affect others (e.g., emotional regulation).
Physical sensory input triggers a cascade of neurochemicals:
References: Zimmermann et al., 2016; Hillman et al., 2008; Kandel et al., 2013.
Educational Content Only
This resource presents neuroscience-based frameworks as one helpful way to understand your child's experiences. It's designed to complement—never replace—professional clinical services, medical advice, or therapeutic interventions.
Trust Your Instincts
Every child's brain works differently. You know your child best, and what resonates for one family may not apply to another.
This content is developed with care, backed by research, and offered with respect for your family's unique journey.