Do you often say to yourself, "why will my child not sit through dinner?" or "I can't even brush my daughter's hair without her moving"?  As parents, we have all experienced something similar and wonder if our child is the ONLY one that can't seem to sit still. Rest assured, children are movers - they are runners, jumpers, and climbers, all which are appropriate, valuable locomotor movements.  Even more important, "Movement is the Key to Learning!" (Carla Hannaford, Smart Moves)

The question becomes: How can we encourage learning while still developing some level of motor control?  We call this "inhibitory control" - the ability to stop oneself and wait. Inhibitory Control is an important social skill and needed for turn taking. Whether in school, sports, or simply playing with another child, inhibitory control is a key development skill and it's the beginning of self-control.  How can you as parents promote this at home?  Try "stop and go" games such as posing and freezing like a statue, or walking around to music and then freezing when the music stops.  Turn it into a game and your child will want to play over and over again - practicing self-control while giggling and enjoying time together.