One boy we know, when asked how things were going for him in kindergarten, said in a rather disgruntled voice, "All we do is sit...and sit...and sit!" His comments are a reminder of what a challenge it can be for children to develop control of their bodies. They are naturally wigglers and wrigglers. At times it must seem to adults who work with them that children are driven to move.

Learning to Sit Quietly

It takes a long while for children to learn to control their bodies -- in order to be able to sit quietly, in order not to use their hands (or feet) for hurting, and in order to hold a pencil or crayon to guide it towards making specific marks on a page. Many teachers and child-care providers are concerned that we are asking too much of children by circle time or story time that's too long for them, and too little time for free play or "recess."

Giving Children Freedom to Move

Strange as it may seem, one way we help children grow in their ability to control their bodies is by giving them lots of opportunities to enjoy freedom of movement -- of course within appropriate limits. When children know there are times when they are allowed to move about, they are more likely to contain themselves for the brief periods of time when they aren't allowed.

As children develop gross motor skills -- moving their arms, legs, and other major body parts easily and confidently through space, they become ready for a variety of physical and academic activities. Children should have plenty of experience using gross motor skills long before they are asked to use fine motor skills. Children with good balance and basic coordination often have an easier time acquiring fine motor skills, as well as an easier time participating in physical activities in the classroom, at recess, and at home.

Our Empathy

There's another way we can help children like that kindergarten boy who complained about all the "sitting." While it's difficult to know just how much of his day was spent like that, obviously, in his mind it was too long. We can make a difference just with our empathy...and with our pride in children for the hard work that self-control takes.

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