originally written for and published on Wolf+Friends
Did you know that when your body is moving, your brain is more engaged in learning? However, our children are often required to spend much of their day trying to sit still in their classrooms, which isn't allowing them to develop their sensory systems. Kids need ample time to run, jump, climb, crash, and get dirty! The active play recommendations for toddlers & preschoolers are 5-8 hours/day and school-age children need at least 4-5 hours/day of movement experiences. Knowing those guidelines, consider how much of your child’s school day is spent sitting at their desk…at the dinner table…in the car between activities…watching TV. Chances are probable that your child isn’t getting the recommended active play experiences that their sensory and motor systems need to develop. It’s no wonder that kids are wiggly and fidgety when we ask them to sit and learn!
So how do you accomplish movement when the expectation is to stay seated? The answer is in “active seating” options that allow for subtle movements and adjustments while sitting. They’re not going to replace active play experiences, but sensory seats promote body engagement and increased focusing ability by giving your child the sensory input they need!
We love that ErgoErgo revolutionary seating concept combines the benefits of active sitting with a bold contemporary design. The Kids Ergo allows the body to rock gently in any direction to build strength and flexibility. Your child can use their ErgoErgo to challenge their core during TV time, story time, or at the kids-craft table.
The next time you’re tempted to remind your child to “sit still,” get them up and moving OR add a little wiggle or wobble to your child’s seat to offer that sensory input their bodies need to learn and engage!
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