Later in the meeting another mom shared that her son did better at focusing if he was moving. To have him sit completely still took all his focus. As she would read aloud to her children this boy would often roll back and forth across the floor. When the session was over, she would ask questions’ regarding what was read and
as long as he could answer correctly, the rolling privilege was
allowed.
This was hard for me to swallow at the time; it didn’t fit into my sit in straight rows schooling experience. Still I pondered it. Years later I was thankful for this wisdom; it allowed me to help my children listen verses demanding they sit perfectly still all day long.
When they were young and it was read aloud time I would set them at the table with play dough to squeeze and shape. Other times I would hand them a pile of clothes pins to quietly clip together as I read. A young mom I know has her children string wooden beads while she reads to them. Even allowing them to stand at the table and color was a nice change for them from sitting all day.
I am all about self-control and believe that sitting still is a skill all children need to learn. Yet, sitting still all day is too much. Allowing an outlet for extra energy helps when it comes to the times when sitting still is a must.