Have you ever noticed a child who just can’t sit still? Or one who moves constantly, even during quiet times? While it can be tempting to view this movement as disruptive, it’s often a vital clue about what a child’s nervous system needs.
As an occupational therapist, I’m here to tell you—those wiggles have a purpose.
Why Movement Matters
Movement isn’t just about staying active. For young children, it’s how they explore, learn, and make sense of the world. Movement builds critical connections between the brain and body. It lays the foundation for attention, memory, social interaction, and emotional regulation.
When children move, they’re not just burning energy—they’re building the very skills they need to succeed in learning and in life.
Understanding Regulation
Self-regulation is a child’s ability to manage their emotions, behaviour, and energy levels. It takes years to develop, and until then, children rely heavily on co-regulation—the warm, supportive presence of adults who help them feel safe and calm.
When children are regulated, they’re better able to listen, learn, and interact with others. When they’re not, their brains go into “survival mode,” making learning and connection incredibly difficult.
Signs a Child May Be Dysregulated
Dysregulation doesn’t look the same for every child. You might notice:
- Meltdowns or tantrums
- Avoidance or shutting down
- Constant movement or impulsivity
Instead of seeing these behaviours as “naughty,” it helps to ask: What is their nervous system trying to tell us?
The Sensory-Movement Connection
Children regulate through sensory input. Key systems include:
- Proprioception: awareness of the body in space (think lifting, pushing, carrying)
- Vestibular: balance and movement (think spinning, jumping, swinging)
- Tactile: touch and body boundaries
When children engage in movement-rich play, their brains receive the input they need to feel calm, focused, and ready to learn.
Movement Builds Motor Skills
Big body movements (like crawling, climbing, and rolling) help children develop the strength and coordination needed for fine motor tasks like writing, drawing, and self-care. Gross motor development is the groundwork for all the little things we want kids to do with their hands.
Movement Grows the Brain
Physical activity doesn’t just support the body—it powers the brain. Movement creates and strengthens neural connections that help with attention, problem-solving, and memory. In short, movement = brain development.
Using Movement to Support Regulation
Different kinds of movement can either calm or energise a child, depending on their needs. Some movement strategies include:
- Heavy work (e.g. pushing a bin, carrying books): grounding and calming
- Calming movement (e.g. slow rocking, yoga, deep pressure): helps down-regulate
- Alerting movement (e.g. jumping, skipping, spinning): boosts energy and engagement
Easy Movement Ideas for the Classroom or Home
You don’t need fancy equipment to support movement needs! Try:
- Animal walks
- Obstacle courses
- Wall push-ups
- Chair or wall yoga
- Freeze dance
- Stretch breaks between activities
Short, frequent movement breaks are more effective than one big session a day. Just 1-2 minutes of movement can make a world of difference.
Embedding Movement into the Day
Look for natural opportunities, such as:
- Marching to the mat during transitions
- Action songs during group time
- Dancing while packing up
- Movement-based learning (e.g. letter hopscotch)
You can also create flexible seating options like wobble cushions, floor mats, or standing desks to support children who need to move while staying engaged.
Observing and Responding
The key to supporting regulation is being proactive. Watch for early signs of dysregulation—like fidgeting, zoning out, or slumping—and offer movement breaks before a meltdown begins.
Every child is different. Some need to move more, others less. The goal is to observe, experiment, and respond with compassion and creativity.
Final Thoughts
Movement is more than just play—it’s the foundation for regulation, connection, and development. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or therapist, creating a movement-friendly environment is one of the most powerful ways to support the children in your care.
Let’s honour those wiggles—they’re working hard to build strong, happy, resilient kids.
Want to learn more or get support embedding movement into your child’s day? Contact us here or follow us on social media for more tips and ideas!