Guide to Help Children Stop Fidgeting

Minimize Distractions

• Fidgeting children often notice the smallest change in their environment and feel compelled to fixate on it. They may be distracted by an airplane passing overhead, a new seating arrangement, or a change to their normal schedule. Such distractions can trigger fidgeting as they try to get a better look at what has caught their attention. This may lead to them popping up and down to get your attention to talk about the distraction. While it is impossible to eliminate all distractions, you can do your best to minimize them during times when you need cooperation and concentration.

Ensure Your Child's Comfort

• Children often fidget because their small bodies cannot get comfortable in a world designed for adults. They may need to strain to reach the table, and their core muscles may not be strong enough to hold them upright in a chair that is too large for them to lean back in comfortably. Fidgeting keeps their muscles engaged and helps relieve fatigue. Providing properly sized furniture and not expecting them to stay in one position for an extended period of time may naturally curb a good deal of fidgeting behavior, says the Children's Health Council.

Break Up Activities

• Requiring your child to sit still and focus takes a good deal of energy on the part of your child. While sitting still, the body's arousal system shuts down, which makes it hard to concentrate and stay focused. Often, fidgeting is the child's way of remaining alert and on task. Break up periods of high concentration and focus with periods of movement and activity. During the break periods, insist that your child get up and move around. It isn't enough to simply drop the expectation that he sit still during the break; rather, he needs to get up, move around, and expend some energy, according to Illinois-based North Shore Pediatric Therapy.

Provide Options

• Some fidgeting is to be expected. Fidgeting can help your child stay focused and alert, but it is important that she learn to control her fidgeting so it benefits her, and doesn't distract others. Rather than tapping on her desk with a pencil, for example, give her an eraser to roll around in her hand. If she normally kicks the legs of her chair, encourage her to tap her feet quietly in place. By replacing disruptive fidgeting behaviors with less intrusive ones, your child will gain the benefit of fidgeting without the drawbacks.