Twelve years ago in a post about the 5 senses of the body, a 6th sense was mentioned as important as the other 5 - sight, touch, hearing, taste and smell. Movement or proprioception as it is called is an important sense like no other. It involves the whole body and its 'placement' in the daily world in which we live, move and learn.
In today's modern world, the study of proprioception - the 6th sense - is slowly taking root. It is an important learning support as are the other 5 well known senses. Self-confidence emanates from the body's ability to move in perfect synchrony. Sports, dancing and just plane walking are significant in our learning game, especially for children. Synchrony is the goal and is as important as algebra and reading.
Having an awareness of movement is critical to the growth and development of children, both intellectually and physically. Could 'dancing' factor in to this equation? The 'sit still' directive made to young children in class, might be misdirection. Busy children are busy for a reason. It is an inherent phase in which they live, breathe, grow and learn.
When I was a little girl,
proprioception was probably ignored for little boys. Their right to
move about might have been stymied. No one thought of their right to
move. Their DNA spoke and off they went in the school yard or at home
with boundless energy. Though recess was mandated 5 days a week
during the school hours, did anyone fully understand the critical
importance of this active period of the school day for young
children? ... The moving body learns through repetition. Confidence builds
in appropriate extraordinary ways. Now we understand how exercise - the moving body- impacts everything in life - health, learning and success.
Today's scientists studying proprioception understand this critical component of the living body. Even our Mr. Wiggles is expected to run, play and fetch on a daily basis. Choreographed and random movement is central to his life as a dog, a moving creature that never ceases to amaze. And if he cannot I have a problem as does he.
Proprioception is central to his health, strength
and longevity. It is central to all humans. Though Mr. Wiggles' sister of 14 years is no longer with us,
having died last July, her presence aided in his physical and cognitive development as well
as her own. They have impacted my own proprioception, too. My 'Sally' would have turned 15 in September. She was at the top of her game in my life and heart.
Couch potatoes have no place in our daily moving and learning lives. Have we relegated the concept of proprioception to the bottom of the list? I hope not. It is a central feature of lifelong learning, health and self awareness, beginning with the youngest among us, babies, children and dogs.
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