25 | The Secret to Helping Kids Self-Soothe—Understanding the Vestibular System

Intentional Motherhood || Mindfulness for Present Moms; Nervous System Regulation for a Calm Home; Routines for Peace

What if the meltdowns, hyper energy, or constant battles you’re having with your child weren’t actually discipline problems—but sensory needs you didn’t even know existed?

In this episode of Intentional Motherhood, Kelsey unpacks the powerful yet often-overlooked vestibular system—our internal sense of balance and spatial awareness that lives in the inner ear. While you might not think about it much, the vestibular system is working behind the scenes every time your child spins, jumps, rocks, swings, or rolls across the floor. And here’s the game-changer: these movements aren’t “just play.” They’re your child’s way of regulating their nervous system, building focus, and finding emotional balance.

Episode Freebie! Download your cheat sheet for Helping Kids Regulate through Vestibular System Activation!

You’ll learn:

• What the vestibular system is, how it communicates with the brain, and why God designed it to be such a central hub for regulation.
• The fascinating way this system is connected to both the brainstem (which controls automatic functions like heart rate and breath) and the limbic system (the emotional center of the brain).
• Why certain movements—especially slow, rhythmic ones like swinging or rocking—can calm anxiety, reduce overwhelm, and even prevent meltdowns.
• The surprising link between vestibular input and improved focus, sleep, coordination, and emotional flexibility.
• Two simple tools you can bring into your home (a swing and a trampoline) that will give your children healthy ways to regulate themselves—without you always stepping in.

If you’ve ever wondered why rocking calms a baby, why your kids can spin for hours without feeling sick, or how to help your child reset when they’re overstimulated, this episode will give you fresh insight and practical strategies.

It’s not about doing more or controlling more—it’s about understanding more. And once you see your child’s play through the lens of the vestibular system, you’ll begin to recognize their incredible built-in ability to meet their own needs.

This episode is packed with both science and heart—and it just might transform the way you view your child’s behavior forever.

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