How to Help Fidgety Kids Sit Still

Author: Catherine Valadez Lopez / Source: wikiHow

1 Encourage adequate exercise. One factor that may make children more fidgety is a lack of exercise.^[1] Children should get at least 60 minutes or more of physical activity a day. Any physical activity that accelerates your child’s heart rate will help them burn off excess energy, allowing them to focus.
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- Consider having kids play games and sports that encourage a lot of physical activity, like tag or soccer. You might also encourage them to jump rope, practice animal walks, do some wall pushups, or simply run around in the park.^[3]
2 Promote a healthy diet. In some children, fidgeting and an inability to concentrate may be the result of a poor diet. Sugary foods, such as soft drinks and sweets, cause a spike in activity followed by a quick crash in energy. In order to help children stay focused, try to promote a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. This will ensure that your children are eating foods that will supply them with a steady source of energy throughout the day.^[4]
- Choose calming foods for snacks, like low-fat cheese, low-fat yogurt, whole grain crackers, nuts or seeds, and veggies, instead of foods with lots of sugar.^[5]
3 Make sure that lots of stimulating activities are available. Sometimes, kids can get restless because they’re bored. Keep options available so that the child can find something to do if they are bored.
- High-energy activities, like jump ropes and mini trampolines, can help a child burn off excess energy.
- Include some activities that children can do for longer periods, like books, toys, puzzles, and coloring books.
4 Spend one-on-one time with your child each day. Sometimes, kids act out a little because they feel like they aren’t getting enough attention. Your child may be a bit more peaceful if they get some attention from you.
- If your child seems bored, you can always ask “Are you bored? Do you feel like hanging out?” You can also encourage your child to ask you to do things with them (e.g. inviting you to draw pictures or go for a walk) when they want attention.
- Encourage your child to communicate their feelings and talk about them.
5 Develop relaxation practices. Anxiety is another factor that can cause children to be fidgety. To help your children feel less anxious, teach them mindfulness practices, such as meditation and controlled breathing. This will help them manage their anxiety and concentrate on their tasks.^[6]
- Mindfulness practices are a great way to teach a kid to handle distractions and hone their concentration.
- Children can also do yoga and meditation to help them relax and self-soothe. Look for kid-friendly videos online, such as “Cosmic Kids Yoga” and “Stop, Breathe and Think Kids.”
- If your child is particularly anxious, you should talk with them about their anxiety. You may also want to consult a mental health professional if the anxiety appears severe.
6 Eliminate distractions. Fidgeting can be the result of external distractions. For example, music, a playing television, or noises from outside may distract your child from their task. If you want your child to concentrate and not fidget, be sure to remove anything that may distract them. Turn off any loud appliances and try to create an environment that is peaceful and relatively quiet.
- If outside noises are a distraction, you might consider using a white noise machine, playing ambient music, or providing your child with noise-cancelling headphones.
- Fidget toys are less likely to help typically developing children. You can try fidget toys, but for kids without disabilities, they may be more harmful than helpful. See what works for your child.