We often have referrals to OT to support children to ‘sit still’ when learning. This is often an important goal for many teachers as wriggly bodies can be disruptive to class learning. From an OT perspective, every person uses a variety of strategies to maintain attention.

Often, we are unaware as to what these may be, or even that we are using a strategy!

Movement is well known to support organisation and attention. Particularly, rhythmic, linear and repetitive motion. Movement however often does not fit into the social structure of learning environments.

Schools and workplaces are now becoming more aware of the positive influence of dynamic workplaces, spaces and access to movement has on productivity.

Some ideas to introduce to your learning spaces include:

• Keeping seated time to a minimum, between 5 and 15 minutes is a great length
• Offer movement breaks every 15 minutes of seated learning for junior years and every 30 for senior years
• Complete work in a variety of spaces and body positions, such as lying on the floor, working on the whiteboard, working outside
• Offer bouncy bounders on the bottom of chair legs (as pictured)
• Offer wobble stools, cushions, fitballs, etc.

Should you need further assistance or want to make an appointment to see an Occupational Therapist please contact us.

Written by Occupational Therapist Laura Taylor for De Silva Kids Clinic.