Movement Before Focus!
Is your kiddo fighting their homework routine?!
Children’s brains and bodies work best when they’re regulated and ready. Sitting still, paying attention, and following directions can be really hard if they haven’t had a chance to move first. Just 5–10 minutes of purposeful movement can “turn on” the body and brain, making focus and learning easier.
Why:
Activates the brain → Movement increases blood flow and wakes up the nervous system.
Improves regulation → Kids who move first are often calmer, less wiggly, and more in control of their bodies.
Boosts attention → Getting energy out makes it easier to sit and concentrate afterward.
Try:
Heavy Work (Great for calming and organizing the body)
Push a laundry basket filled with toys or books
Wall push-ups or chair push-ups
Carry grocery bags (supervised, age-appropriate weight)
Tug-of-war with a blanket or rope
Move cushions/pillows from one room to another
Wipe tables or windows with big arm movements
Animal walks: bear crawl, crab walk, seal crawl, inchworm
Whole Body Movement (Helps get energy out before focus):
Dance party (freeze dance, copycat moves, musical statues)
Jumping jacks, star jumps, or hopping on one leg
Obstacle course using pillows, chairs, tape lines on the floor
Hopscotch indoors (using painter’s tape) or outside with chalk
Spin in a swivel chair or sit-n-spin (short bursts, supervised)
Roll up like a burrito in a blanket and unroll
Balance & Coordination (Helps body awareness + focus):
Walk on a taped line (straight, zigzag, curved)
Stand on one foot and count to 10 (try with eyes closed!)
Wheelbarrow walk (parent holds ankles, child walks on hands)
Yoga poses: tree pose, downward dog, child’s pose
Log rolls across the floor or grass
Step over couch cushions or pillows
Calming / Organizing Options (Great before bedtime or transitions):
Rock gently in a rocking chair or hammock
Animal breathing: snake hiss, lion roar, bumblebee hum
Slow stretches: reach for the sky, touch toes, side bends
Chair yoga (sit and stretch arms, twist, deep breathing)
Weighted stuffed animal or pillow hug
“Steamroller”: gently roll a therapy ball over child’s back/legs
Build a “calm cave” with blankets and pillows to rest in
Parent Tip: Let your child pick 2–3 activities before a focus task (homework, mealtime, transitions). Having choice increases buy-in and builds independence.
When:
Before meals
Before homework or schoolwork
Before transitions (going from play to bedtime, or from home to school)
Any time your child seems extra wiggly or unfocused!
At Creating Connections OT, we’re here to help your child thrive—emotionally, physically, and socially. If this post resonated with you and you're wondering what the next step looks like, our New Client Page has everything you need. From what to expect in your first session to how we support your child’s unique goals, it’s all just a click away.
