Aa
Non stop movement in toddler
Just a question on how much movement is too much movement. I know quite a few of you here, and you have heard me say on many an occasion how incredibly active my 2 year old is. We had a birthday party for him on Sunday, and watching him in comparison to the other kids was a bit of an eye opener. He is truly busier then the others, no question. He has been having a bit of a rough time of late with a throat infection (it came back unfortunately) combined with working on yet another 2 year molar. He is waking in the middle of the night yelling "owie owie", so I have been pulling him into bed with me. Even in his sleep he just doesn't stop moving. For short periods of time, yes, but most of the time a leg is kicking out or an arm or he is adjusting his position. Now, I have no other children to compare to, so am wondering if this is common? It's like he is constantly in motion. It seems to be a bit worse right now which I suspect is a result of not getting enough outdoor time (the weather here has been far too cold to spend any real amount of time outdoors, and there have been days at a time where we have been housebound - record lows..great!). Just curious I suppose. Thanks so much.
Another thing that helps slow kids down and regulate their nervous system is swinging. We've used it a lot in my DD's speech therapy. We're hoping to get a swing for our home since she loves it so much!
I was just reading through these posts and didn't ever realize that there are so many ways to do activities indoors especially at school! You really do know what you are talking about! Thank you so much for being there for all of us in our times of need! I am amazed at the number of things that you use with your son that would potentially work with my children especially Ali. He is my very highly active son! But you are right in so many ways, these types of things are great for anyone! I hope that you are having a wonderful day!
Oh, any time---- always happy to try to help! And thank you for the appreciation . . . you just made my day!!
You truly are a gem, do you know that? Thanks my friend, I appreciate you a great deal.
Yes, just keep your eye on him. Kids really do mature and develop impulse control as they get older. So, give him time to see how this changes as he gets older. And don't write off traditional classrooms just yet. To be honest, my son that has the sensory issues and kids like him do better in a structured, traditional class as the rules and routine help them regulate. And in our area, we were told that our son should start in public schools as greater allowance is made for 'out of the box' kids than the Catholic schools. I do think the montessori programs are pretty cool but my boy would be less focused there due to the dynamics. Instead, I talk to my boys teachers about him each school year and work in ways for him to have movement breaks during the day. It helps him.
As Ryder gets older, you'll be better able to pick the best situation for him. I know he is quite smart which will serve him well wherever he goes. My son is also smart and able to 'think through' things at school. We use verbage like "his engine is too high" and then he has activities that we've approved with his teacher that he can do to slow the engine down. He is at the point where he knows himself when he needs to do this verses getting in trouble and someone saying "oh, let's do some of your activities". And he quietly does these things in the classroom. They make wiggle seats that a child can put right on their seat so they can move all around without getting up or distracting anyone. They have hand fidgets that a child can use to keep still. A child can do a 'chair push up' where they place their hands on the seat and lift themselves up a bit with the their arms. They can have a band at the bottom of their chair that they push their feet against. These are all ways that an active child can be 'active' right in their chair.
Anyway, that is down the road and I have every confidance that you will figure out what is best for your cherub! good luck
As Ryder gets older, you'll be better able to pick the best situation for him. I know he is quite smart which will serve him well wherever he goes. My son is also smart and able to 'think through' things at school. We use verbage like "his engine is too high" and then he has activities that we've approved with his teacher that he can do to slow the engine down. He is at the point where he knows himself when he needs to do this verses getting in trouble and someone saying "oh, let's do some of your activities". And he quietly does these things in the classroom. They make wiggle seats that a child can put right on their seat so they can move all around without getting up or distracting anyone. They have hand fidgets that a child can use to keep still. A child can do a 'chair push up' where they place their hands on the seat and lift themselves up a bit with the their arms. They can have a band at the bottom of their chair that they push their feet against. These are all ways that an active child can be 'active' right in their chair.
Anyway, that is down the road and I have every confidance that you will figure out what is best for your cherub! good luck
I'm going to print this out. As always, excellent suggestions. We are just having some wild weather, even for our neck of the woods, and Ryder is absolutely climbing the walls. I did find a really good drop in Toddlers gym and also an indoor playground perfect for his age group (lot's of climbing, etc), so I think I will step up those visits.
I will tell you though, mildly concerned as he cannot sit for longer then 3 or 4 minutes. Getting through a normal sized childs book usually takes at least 2 or 3 sittings during the course of the day. I guess just something to watch? I mentioned it at his 2 year check up and his pediatrican wasn't concerned. She did say that the public school system did not deal well with kids as active as he is due to such large class sizes, etc. so that might be a concern later on. We are looking into alternatives such as Montessori and Charter, as well as the Catholic School system (I think that will probably be the direction we go in) as with smaller classes, they tend to be better equipped. Thoughts on that? It might be different in the US then Canada, not sure.
I will tell you though, mildly concerned as he cannot sit for longer then 3 or 4 minutes. Getting through a normal sized childs book usually takes at least 2 or 3 sittings during the course of the day. I guess just something to watch? I mentioned it at his 2 year check up and his pediatrican wasn't concerned. She did say that the public school system did not deal well with kids as active as he is due to such large class sizes, etc. so that might be a concern later on. We are looking into alternatives such as Montessori and Charter, as well as the Catholic School system (I think that will probably be the direction we go in) as with smaller classes, they tend to be better equipped. Thoughts on that? It might be different in the US then Canada, not sure.
Hi there. Well, I have two boys---- one with the nervous system issue and one without. Both are pretty active. Here is the difference, one has an intensity to it that the other doesn't. One is just playing around moving a lot, the other looks like he is on a mission. Also, my one that does not have the nervous system issue has always been able to sit and do things for a period of time such as look at books. Even at almost two, I could take a bag of things for him to do and he'd sit and do it for a bit verses my older son I would be chasing around.
Here is my heartfelt recommendation, exercise the heck out of him. Even if he is within normal (and he probably is just on the high side of active), this is always good for little ones in my opinion. I had my non sensory kid right along doing things with my sensory kid.
Winter ideas for a two year old---- swim lessons at a local gym that has an indoor pool. He's old enough and he just might love that and it is probably the most calming activity I can think of. Place a mattress on the floor and let him jump like a maniac. We have an old crib mattress that we use. I keep it in a closet and just pull it out. OR, you can get one of those exercise trampolines (we have one that cost between 20 and 30 dollars---- we have lots of 'stuff' as we have lots of energy, I rotate it all) and let him jump away. With the mattress he can actually jump and fall/crash which kids love and expends a lot of energy. You can put on music and 'dance' and when doing that, lead the dances so they are lifting his knee in the air a bit (hold his hand and he lifts one knee), jumping up and down, spinning, go down on the floor and do some break dancing (curling the body up with arms squeezing legs is a core muscle exercise for kids), etc. You can start introducing him to animal walks. My kid is 8 and he still does animal walks every single day!! Both my boys love doing this. The big ones to show him are crab walk, bear walk (let me know if you don't know what that is), and leap frog. Those really relax the nervous system. We throw in snake and lizard which looks like an army crawl across the floor but that one is hard. You can put items into a laundry basket and have him either push or pull it across the floor. You can have him get on his hands and knees and crawl--- this basic activity is what they call 'heavy work' and my boy still does it in games to regulate. Another game is called 'push over'--- have him go to a wall (you go too) and try to 'push it over' by pushing against it. This is kind of like a wall push up. This makes a mess but kids love it--- take the pillows off your couches and around the house and make a big pile. Have Ryder climb through them. He'll be out of breath from it but should love it. We play 'mouse' where my kids will pop up and I scream as if seeing a mouse and pretend leap at them and they shoot back under. Hold his hands and let him pull himself up, like climb up. Might be better to let your husband do that as he's getting bigger. Have him 'help you out' and move a chair for you or carry a bag that you put some books into it. Give him something oral to do-------- take cotton balls and straws cut in half and have blow races. Blowing bubbles if it is warm enough to stand outside is really soothing. To absolutely slow an engine---- lateral movement is great like swinging and they make swings you can hang in your house for bigger kids. Not everyone wants one of those---- but I have one. Ikea makes them. Structure time as often possible that is active time---- go to a gym of any sort (and a good place to really just cut loose in winter. You can play a game we call pizza. This is where Ryder and any other kids in the area stand on one side of the gym and you call out foods. "I'm hungry for peaches. I'm hungry for butter. I'm hungry for peanut butter." ect eventually calling out pizza and they all run like mad men across the gym to the other side and then you do it again. Run run run. That is the theme. Take a soccer ball to a gym and have him kick. I found these indoor playgrounds--- places that sell playsets often have them and you just pay a couple of dollars to play on the equipment. Climbing is really good whereever and whenever he can do it. If you get it out in controlled settings, it is easier to not be so active in others. And I think it helps kids sleep better overall.
Any way, just a long list of ideas for winter to get the ya ya's out as we call it. good luck
Here is my heartfelt recommendation, exercise the heck out of him. Even if he is within normal (and he probably is just on the high side of active), this is always good for little ones in my opinion. I had my non sensory kid right along doing things with my sensory kid.
Winter ideas for a two year old---- swim lessons at a local gym that has an indoor pool. He's old enough and he just might love that and it is probably the most calming activity I can think of. Place a mattress on the floor and let him jump like a maniac. We have an old crib mattress that we use. I keep it in a closet and just pull it out. OR, you can get one of those exercise trampolines (we have one that cost between 20 and 30 dollars---- we have lots of 'stuff' as we have lots of energy, I rotate it all) and let him jump away. With the mattress he can actually jump and fall/crash which kids love and expends a lot of energy. You can put on music and 'dance' and when doing that, lead the dances so they are lifting his knee in the air a bit (hold his hand and he lifts one knee), jumping up and down, spinning, go down on the floor and do some break dancing (curling the body up with arms squeezing legs is a core muscle exercise for kids), etc. You can start introducing him to animal walks. My kid is 8 and he still does animal walks every single day!! Both my boys love doing this. The big ones to show him are crab walk, bear walk (let me know if you don't know what that is), and leap frog. Those really relax the nervous system. We throw in snake and lizard which looks like an army crawl across the floor but that one is hard. You can put items into a laundry basket and have him either push or pull it across the floor. You can have him get on his hands and knees and crawl--- this basic activity is what they call 'heavy work' and my boy still does it in games to regulate. Another game is called 'push over'--- have him go to a wall (you go too) and try to 'push it over' by pushing against it. This is kind of like a wall push up. This makes a mess but kids love it--- take the pillows off your couches and around the house and make a big pile. Have Ryder climb through them. He'll be out of breath from it but should love it. We play 'mouse' where my kids will pop up and I scream as if seeing a mouse and pretend leap at them and they shoot back under. Hold his hands and let him pull himself up, like climb up. Might be better to let your husband do that as he's getting bigger. Have him 'help you out' and move a chair for you or carry a bag that you put some books into it. Give him something oral to do-------- take cotton balls and straws cut in half and have blow races. Blowing bubbles if it is warm enough to stand outside is really soothing. To absolutely slow an engine---- lateral movement is great like swinging and they make swings you can hang in your house for bigger kids. Not everyone wants one of those---- but I have one. Ikea makes them. Structure time as often possible that is active time---- go to a gym of any sort (and a good place to really just cut loose in winter. You can play a game we call pizza. This is where Ryder and any other kids in the area stand on one side of the gym and you call out foods. "I'm hungry for peaches. I'm hungry for butter. I'm hungry for peanut butter." ect eventually calling out pizza and they all run like mad men across the gym to the other side and then you do it again. Run run run. That is the theme. Take a soccer ball to a gym and have him kick. I found these indoor playgrounds--- places that sell playsets often have them and you just pay a couple of dollars to play on the equipment. Climbing is really good whereever and whenever he can do it. If you get it out in controlled settings, it is easier to not be so active in others. And I think it helps kids sleep better overall.
Any way, just a long list of ideas for winter to get the ya ya's out as we call it. good luck
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