In the room
They cannot sit still
Often a body asking for the input the lesson forgot.
What is actually happening
Young bodies need vestibular and proprioceptive input to organize attention. Some children have extra fuel; some have EF still under construction; some have ADHD. Before you pathologize, feed the sensory system and shorten the sit.
Do
- Movement snack before sit-down work: animal walks, wall pushes, skip
- Wiggle seat, standing table, or a heavy lap pad
- Chunk the work into 6-minute hills
- If concerns persist across settings, talk with caregivers and a professional — teaching support and assessment can coexist
Don't
- Shame, extra sitting as punishment, or 'if you can't sit you can't learn'
What to say
- Your engine is high. Ten frog jumps, then we try the first three problems.
The scaffold
Fade from full-body breaks to a foot fidget, then to 'you tell me when you need a motor break.'