April 22, 2026 – Teaching a Child Who Can’t Sit Still

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

There is Purpose in the Whirlwind

We often think that if our kids would just sit still and stop fidgeting, they would pay more attention and get more done. But we have found that if they are spending so much energy trying to be still, then they are not able to listen and learn as well. Movement, wiggles, and action actually help them concentrate and learn!

So, let them draw and color quietly during devotions, let them play with clay during audiobooks or learning videos. Let them play with LEGOs at read-aloud time. And if they can’t sit still, let them stand at their desk, or roll on the floor. Sometimes, their bodies just have to move. 

Some of my kids would be able to focus more on their subjects if they could bounce, swing, jump, or stand while working. Their excess energy needed “movement” breaks. We had a “run around the kitchen or run outside” break after every subject. We made dough that could be squished during studies. The movement of body or hands helped concentration. 

There are times that all the activity seems like chaos that needs calming. We can trust that our active children are still learning whether they look like it or not. So don’t stress . . . trust the One Who made them this whirlwind as part of His great purpose for their life. 

And, remember that they are free to be themselves right there in the safety and comfort of home. No sitting at cold desks for hours! What a glorious freedom! No reigning in who they really are made to be. They are free!!

In my school experience as a child, I was never able to really rest in body or soul, were you? But because you are doing what is best for them, you are giving them the rest and freedom right at Home. Where They Belong. 

~ Deborah

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Award-Winning Children’s Book Author Catherine Ann Russell. Writing to support infants and children in critical need at home and abroad. Find out more at: www.catherineannrussell.com

Heidi Mosher

Matching the Movement of a Child Who Can’t Sit Still

This topic fondly brings to mind a wiggly little boy of mine who has since grown into a man. I can’t remember just when he quit climbing on our school table, but I’m thrilled to report that he is now fully capable of sitting. He makes money by working with those once-fidgety hands. 

Back when he was little though, we were both frustrated until I wrestled with questions like these:  

• Why does a child need to sit still in school? 
• Why do I expect him to sit still in our homeschool?  
• Is he actually learning even though he is moving?
• Will enforcing a certain posture detract from learning? 
• What causes more trouble—continual movement or continual reprimanding about the movement?
• Is the behavior distracting the other kids? 
• Can I build more breaks into his day? 
• What pockets of time work best for his learning? 
• Can I break his lessons into smaller segments to spread throughout the day?
• Will he remember a frustrated mom or an understanding one? 

Once I realized that I needed to adjust my expectations to get this active little guy through school, I discovered a passion for the daily challenge of creatively adapting his education to match his movement. By investing my own energy into his school days, he received the message that his mom loved him very much. 

If you need practical tips for teaching a wild one, be encouraged with another quick read full of playful ideas that worked well at our house: Tournament or Team? Let Them Move for the Win. 

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About the author

Heidi Mosher is honored to write for The Homeschool Minute, as it was a lifeline of her early homeschooling years. She is thankful to be the mother of four: three recent homeschool graduates and one in high school.

Adam and Dianne Riveiro

Is It ADHD?

Of course, leave it to special needs parents to bring up the possibility of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder! But this is what we do: advocate for children and parents with special needs. After all, we’ve written a book on it! (check out many materials for special needs families and ministries here).

Let’s be honest, ADHD has been overdiagnosed in the past, and many parents today are hesitant to consider that their child may be struggling with it because of the stigma that comes with a diagnosis. Active, fidgety children don’t necessarily have ADHD, but if your child continually struggles to be still and concentrate on their work, we urge you to keep an open mind.

If your child continually struggles in homeschool with their focus, try any and all of the coping mechanisms you’ll find from our fellow writers in this edition of The Homeschool Minute. But if, over time, you find that your child still struggles despite your (and their) best efforts, consider talking to your pediatrician. 

Let’s be clear: we’re not doctors and do not provide diagnoses. But we can gently urge you to consider getting help if your child continues to struggle. For our son, understanding his special needs was vitally important in helping us identify the best coping strategies for him to learn. Ignoring the issue, worrying about what others think, or being concerned with the stigma of your child being “labeled” won’t make the problem go away. Pray James 1:5 prayers and follow the Lord’s leading for your child! 

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About the author

Pastor Adam and Dianne Riveiro live in Easton, Massachusetts, where Adam serves as the pastor of Liberty Baptist Church. Together, they’ve authored several books, including their newest book Ministering to YOUR Children with Special Needs, published by Ready Scribe Publications. Parents to four amazing kids—Bethany, Kaylee, AJ, and Peyton—the Riveiros are deeply committed to helping special needs families discover joy and contentment through Christ.

Heather Vogler

Give Me a Break

Have you ever had a nature study go south? Notebooks in hand, colored pencils galore, ready for hand-drawn pictures of chickadees and cardinals to fill the pages, only to find your child hanging from the branch of an oak rather than sitting peacefully waiting for a bird to alight on a delicate twig next to them? 

Ideals we conjure up when it comes to nature studies, unit studies, read-alouds, or any other homeschool buzz terms can often cloud reality. We visit the home of the Charlotte Mason mama who has dozens of nature journals showcased in her living room. On the drive home, we envision picturesque, serene moments sitting on a picnic blanket by the creek, while her children calmly draw the wildlife, accurately recalling their scientific names in cursive with zero spelling errors. 

What we do not see are the countless breaks that Mama allowed for climbing nearby trees and wading and splashing in the creek. We do not see the hours of digging through the dirt and mud and hiking in the woods to burn off some energy before finding that perfect cocoon to sketch. 

I’ve seen many homeschool mamas burn out from trying to imitate either a classroom setting or another homeschool mama’s style. Breaks are a given, especially with active and wiggly children, and need to happen before the burnout. Scheduling them in at a set time, like recess in school, is not ideal. Find the rhythm that works for your family, take natural breaks, and allow for random ones when needed. You might find yourself enjoying nature studies or other non-traditional methods of learning even more!

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About the author

Heather Vogler, her husband, and five children call the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia home where they homeschool and homestead. Heather has homeschooled her children from the beginning and enjoys an eclectic style of teaching. As a freelance writer she has been published in Focus on the Family Magazine, War Cry Magazine, and Brio Magazine. Heather holds a BA in Christian Ministries and currently writes at ThriftSchooling.com.  

Not every child was created to sit down and complete worksheets . . . and that’s okay! Nurture your child’s curiosity with a variety of resources from SchoolhouseTeachers.com in the Hands-On Learning Center. Although all courses on SchoolhouseTeachers.com are self-paced to meet your student’s individual needs, the Help with Special Needs learning center offers unique course options to keep learning stimulating for your wiggly learners!