Cannot Sit Still

Strategies for helping a child with the arousal regulation problem of sitting still include:

• Provide frequent activity breaks
  
  
• Allow time for students to reorganize after high energy activities. Read a story or complete a quiet activity
  
  
• Arrange with the student that he/she will work for a specific length of time. Use a sand or visual timer to demonstrate the length of time. Make an agreement with the student that he/she will work for a set time, "4 flips of the sand timer before a break". Gradually increase the amount of flips or time length.
  
  
  
  
• During work periods have the child sit on a T-stand to help direct energy and focus.
  

  T-stand made from two by fours can force a child to pay attention to keeping balanced.

  
  
• Have students sit on a barrel seat - they can move on the seat without disturbing others.
  

A barrel turned upside down makes a stool that is not easily tilted	Covering the top with a carpet scrap or fuzzy material allows the child to customize their chair	The child can use the inside for storage