Proprioceptive Sense Exercise

What you'll need

Baby in a supported position with clear line of sight across the room. Parent at the far end of the room holding a colourful toy. Room should be well-lit.

How it works

1. 1~30s

   Stand at the other end of the room and hold the toy up where your child can see it. Talk to your child as you start walking slowly toward them: 'Look your child, look what I have!' Watch your child's eyes and body carefully as you get closer. Does they track the toy with their eyes? Does their body get more excited as you get closer? Tell me what you notice as you approach.

   Watch for: Baby visually tracks the approaching toy and parent, showing sustained attention and awareness of movement in space.

2. 2~25s

   Now that you're close to your child, extend the toy toward them but hold it just slightly out of reach — close enough to be tempting but far enough that your child has to try to reach for it. Watch what your child does with their body. Does they lean forward? Extend an arm? Open their hand? Tell me how your child tries to get the toy.

   Watch for: Baby reaches for the toy by extending arm and/or moving body toward it — showing intentional goal-directed movement.

3. 3~30s

   Let's try one more time. Go back a few steps and approach your child again with the toy. This time, watch their hands closely as you get closer. Does your child start to open their hands before the toy arrives — almost like they is getting ready to grab it? That anticipatory hand opening is a fascinating sign that your child's brain is predicting what will happen next.

   Watch for: Baby opens hands in anticipation of receiving the toy before it makes contact — showing prediction and motor planning.

What this develops

• ◆Milestone
  Two-Handed Reaching for Toy

  Thinkingprimary

Visual example