It is natural for children to be in motion.
Some children need more opportunities to move than others, often during times of the educational day when the "expectation" is to be seating and still.
Melinda was in the third grade when her teacher decided that her need for movement was interfering with her learning.
Now, I had known Melinda since the first grade, and she had always been one to move whenever possible, and not just on the playground or outdoors during Physical Education.
She was a mover, creator, and dancer, and if left up to her, she would constantly be in motion.
And her teacher was concerned with that.
(This takes me back to the blue plastic chair conversation...)
In order for Melinda to focus and engage in learning, she needed to move. As a team, we collected data that indicated a need for increased movement, amended her Individual Education Plan to reflect that need, and gave her opportunities to move, to be flexible, and to not be constrained to the blue plastic chair.
Some of the opportunities for increased movement that benefitted her focus and engagement included:
Standing at her desk when she needed to stand
Leaning on her desk when she needed sensory input
Kneeling on her chair when she needed a different vantage point to see
Using a large exercise ball to complete long assessments so she could bounce or kneel on it
My point is, if you have a child that need to move, let them. Be creative and flexible with seating and classroom tools and space. So often, there is such a benefit to movement to decrease anxiety, improve focus, increase engagement and build stamina.
And if moving supports all of that, so be it.
If they "can't stop", use this opportunity for good and give them tools to be successful.
Want more tools to support flexibility, success and engagement?
Inclusiveology can help with that.
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