Does your child seem like a perpetual motion machine in class? They’re constantly squirming and fidgeting. You’re not alone. Many children can struggle with staying still, especially in structured environments like school. While occasional restlessness is to be expected, persistent difficulty focusing and managing energy can be a sign of an underlying condition like ADHD.
However, don’t jump to conclusions. There could be other underlying reasons for their inability to sit still, and there are a variety of practical strategies that can help support your child in the classroom.
Understanding the reasons for movement
There are several reasons why a child may have a hard time staying still in school:
- Developmental needs — Young children can naturally have a strong urge to move. Movement helps them learn, explore, and release energy.
- Sensory processing — Some children may have heightened or dulled sensory sensitivities. Sitting still for long periods can be overwhelming for some, while others may seek movement for sensory input.
- ADHD — Children with ADHD often have pent-up energy they need to release through movement.
- Anxiety or boredom — Fidgeting may be a coping mechanism for anxiety or boredom. A child may fidget to self-soothe or subconsciously try to engage their minds in the absence of stimulating activities.
Understanding your child’s needs
The first step to help support your child is to understand their unique needs. Ask their teacher about their behavior in class:
- When do they have the most difficulty staying still? Is it during long lectures, independent work, or specific subjects?
- What are the signs/symptoms? Do they seem restless, fidgety, or easily distracted?
- Are there any physical signs of discomfort? Tight muscles, crossed legs or clenched fists can indicate they need to move.
Strategies for success in the classroom and at home
Adopting several strategies and accommodations for your child both in the classroom and at home can help set them up for success. These strategies and accommodations can include:
- Collaboration with teachers — Communicate with their teachers to help them understand your child’s specific needs and any strategies you’ve found helpful at home.
- Flexible seating — Consider using flexible seating options like stability balls, wobble stools, or standing desk converters to allow for some movement.
- Movement breaks — Incorporating short bursts of movement into their routine, such as simple stretches, short walks around the classroom, or jumping jacks during transitions, can help them refocus.
- Brain breaks — Another good option is integrating brain breaks with movement throughout their lessons. Short, interactive activities like educational games that involve movement, short dance routines, or acting out vocabulary words can help keep your child engaged.
- Fidget toys — With certain guidelines, your child can use discreet fidget toys that provide sensory input without distracting others. These fidget aids could include spinners, chewy necklaces, or weighted vests. These can all provide sensory input to help them regulate their energy levels. Their teacher should establish clear guidelines for their use, such as keeping them on desks or using them only during independent work time.
- Movement-based learning — To help make homework easier, incorporate movement into their learning. Have them act out historical events, complete science experiments that involve movement, or solve their math problems using body movements.
- Movement integration — Teachers can find ways to incorporate movement throughout the day. This could involve allowing students to sharpen pencils while walking around the room, having them stand up to answer questions, or incorporating short stretches before assessments.
- Peer movement buddies — Teachers can pair students who need movement with “movement buddies” who can take short walks with them during transitions or complete tasks that involve movement together.
- Themed movement breaks — For younger students, teachers could create themed movement breaks that tie into the curriculum. For example, if they are having a lesson on the solar system, students can act out the planets’ movements.
- Positive reinforcement — Acknowledge and praise their efforts to stay focused and manage their energy. Positive reinforcement can help motivate them to continue using these strategies.
- Routine structure — Having a predictable daily schedule with clear transitions between activities can be helpful. A visual schedule or timer can help your child anticipate and prepare for changes.
- Smaller steps — Break down assignments or tasks into manageable chunks to help reduce overwhelm and improve task completion. Ask your child’s teacher if they can provide verbal or written instructions that are simple and easy to follow.
- Professional help — If challenges continue, you may want to seek guidance from their school counselor, a psychologist, or their pediatrician; additional interventions and supports may be needed to help with behavior management.
By working together with your child’s teachers and healthcare professionals, you can create a supportive learning environment where your child who needs movement can thrive. Their wiggles may just be the first steps on the path to achieving great things.
Beyond BookSmart can help your child manage their ADHD symptoms and claim a world of potential
Every child is unique — what works for one may not work for another. Be patient, experiment with different strategies, and celebrate their success, no matter how small. Your child’s need for movement doesn’t define them. They may possess a creative spark, boundless energy, or a talent for physical activities. These same qualities, when channeled effectively, can become their strengths in the classroom and beyond.
Executive Function skills, such as being able to sit still and focus, play an important role in a student’s work routine and will benefit them both now and in their future endeavors. Executive Function skills can be applied to any student’s success because they are both coachable and trainable.
At Beyond BookSmart, we help students hone their Executive Function skills by personalizing our Executive Function coaching services to their individual needs, learning differences, and emotional challenges.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an inquiry call.