Children who present with gravitational insecurity are often fearful of situations which would not normally raise a fearful response from most children. Understanding the reasons for this fearful behaviour and avoidance behaviour can be particularly helpful.
Children who are Gravitationally Insecure often present with some of many of the features listed below
When their feet leave the ground, they become anxious or struggle to keep their feet down. They may cooperate if they are assisted by someone whom they trust.
Gravitationally insecure children have an unnatural fear of falling, or of heights.
The child who is gravitationally insecure cannot be made to feel more comfortable with words, explanations, rewards or encouragement. None of these things is likely to make them feel more secure. In fact, on the contrary, such attempts at easing their anxiety will likely increase their anxiety, as they are likely to feel that their fears are ignored.
Having their heads upside down, such as in doing a forward roll, or diving into a swimming pool can make them feel extremely anxious. This might also cause them to avoid rolling or rough-housing. Sometimes, just lying back onto a surface can make them feel uneasy!
The child who is gravitationally insecure may take a long time to learn to go up or down stairs, and they are also likely to hold on the railing more than other children do.
Gravitationally insecure children often don’t have fun on playground equipment, riding on horseback or on a merry-go-round, as the movement involved makes them fearful.
The child who is gravitationally insecure may take a long time to learn to go up or down stairs, and they are also likely to hold on the railing more than other children do.
They may avoid climbing, even simple climbing, as they are too fearful. This tendency would be lessened when they are left along and can take their time to explore without others around.
Using lifts (elevators), escalators and travelators can feel very scary to children who are gravitationally insecure!
Emotional and behavioural characteristics: Children who are gravitationally insecure are often “hard to get along with”. They often try to manipulate and to control their environment, and to control other people. This is usually done in an effort to gain some control over a situation which they find very threatening and stressful. This attitude often makes the gravitationally insecure child seem uncooperative.
