Question about "movement" and being fidgety during school work

[nursegirl6572]

HI all!

I have a question and would love the input of you smart people!

My son is 7, in 1st grade, straight "A" student, hononr roll student, very smart, very sociable, mannerly, he is in cub scouts, which he enjoys very much.  All in all, just a sweet little boy who seems normal in every sense of the word.  I really have no complaints about him.

One observation that perplexes me is, anytime we work on homework, or studying, he's always got something in motion, whether it be is foot tapping, leg moving, pencil tapping.  He appears almost fidgety.  He does well with the schoolwork, does not struggle at all, and seems relatively comfortable with it.  It's almost like an anxiety reaction, but he seems perfectly calm.  He CAN get distracted if there's a TV on, but obviously, I make sure it's not. He works okay with background noise or other distractions in the room.  He's able to do his work both independently, and with my help. He asks for help when he needs it, and we do both independent and team studying.  He fidgets right from the start, not just after a period of time. He's got a good confidence level about his school work, and there are no concerns coming from school.  He's actually enrolled in the more advanced groups for math and reading when the kids split up in class. He LOVES school and is a teacher's pet.  The teacher raves about him.  

I'm not overly concerned about it, but it seems odd to me.  He literally is always in motion when doing schoolwork...but not during ANY other activities (TV, playing, eating)..ONLY with school stuff.  Is this some kind of anxiety?  Attention issue?  Totally normal because he has to sit still and focus at 7?  I'll even redirect him, and it starts back up quite quickly.  He will fidget with anything nearby, items on the table, his clothing, etc.

Ideas?  I really appreciate it.  While I don't have any overt concerns, this is a little strange and has got my attention.  I've been waiting for it to kind of improve as he gets into more intense schoolwork, but it hasn't.

Thanks in advance!!  XOXO

[nursegirl6572]

XOXO SM!  :0)

[specialmom]

I agree with rockrose and sandman for sure.  I'd offer him a hand fidget to have at school like a squeezy ball.  Should do the trick! luck to you (of course)

[nursegirl6572]

Thank you thank you for your replies!  I guess it all makes sense, just so weird that it only happens then, not any other time requiring concentration.

I really appreciate the info!

[Sandman2]

   Yes, I agree with the above.  Chances are that the work is a bit easy for him, his movements are soothing cause his brain is racing.
   Probably the one thing to watch out for (check with his teacher) is if other kids start noticing this.  There are less obvious things that he can do.  But, this is certainly something that I would not try to stop!

[RockRose]

Moving keeps the brain active.    I've seen 3rd grade classes where they have the kids jump up and down and the teacher fires out multiplication table questions - and the kids shout back the answers and they do much better if they're jumping up and down.

I have a friend who is a doctor who can't sit through a seminar without chewing a coffee straw to bits.  It keeps her brain working,  to chew chew chew.

Your son sounds very in touch with what he needs to do to keep his brain alert!

[nursegirl6572]

Makes sense, Life.  Thanks for your reply.

[Life360_Dave]

I was the same as a young boy especially when my father was helping me with school work. I was nervous and felt i needed to get the answers faster with him watching and would tap my foot to distract me that he was behind me waiting. It was a way of releasing built up energy
Also when studing myself i would do the same thing as  your son as was a way to give my mind a break from what i was studying. These were just short moments but eased my mind long enough to get back to the studying.
It was a distraction technique that i used to get momentary mind break. The taping was also used as a tool if i got stuck on a thought that wasnt going anywhere. It would help me break the thought process that was making me get stuck on a concept.

I

[nursegirl6572]

Thank you both for your input.  I appreciate it.  Thanks, amm, I'm blessed with him, he really is such a good kid, who just loves life.  

Thanks again!

[allmymarbles]

He probably doesn't find homework interesting and is impatient to get it over with. He sounds fine. And it sounds like you have a great son.

[shorty870]

in regards to a fidgety 7 year old boy... this sounds like a typical kid to me. I think he may fidget during homework as a way of better thinking some people twirl their hair other chew gum. I think this little boy just needs something more to do. its a coping method of a bored child... its not harming him academically and not bothersome to the other children so i would just let it be...
My opinion comes from i also have a 7 1/2 year old boy straight A student loves school is a math genius extremely high IQ teachers pet. there is a down side to that i promise but it's more of a strength my son has aspergers syndrome so has social interaction issues... my son also has OCD and ADHD. so your son seems totally normal to me and i would not be concerned at all with this behavior. my son fidgets and taps his pencil, swings his feet and if you ask him why he is doing those things he will tell you he is bored and does not want to sit still anymore but knows he has to so he is fidgeting so he can complete his work.