The learning fury

There’s a kind of movement that can be a warning your preschooler is tired. Some parents call it “slap happy,” and it usually follows with “maybe somebody needs a nap.” It’s a tired energy and it’s not exactly known why children act out this way.

However, some researchers say the desire to learn is so strong that your preschooler fights to stay awake. Instead of suggesting a nap, she actually needs help notching down that energy, so her mind can relax, and she can rest.

Imagine leaves falling off a tree. They move fast, in circles and flips and gradually start floating, floating, floating to the ground. That’s how your preschooler can physically calm herself down.

Fast and s l o w
For example, start running in a large circle, then drop to a fast walk, a medium walk, then a walk-walk, stroll, then a quiet tiptoe, until she’s moving as slowly as she possibly can. No need to rush from one walk to another. Linger a little in each speed.

Run, run
Run in a circle!

Then we stop, walk,
Walk and talk.

Then we stroll, stroll,
Like a standing roll.

Then go slow, slow,
Slow, tip toe,

‘Til we’re sneaking, sneaking
Creeping, creeping

Crawling, crawling,
Yawning, falling

slowing down

Until we’re

on

the

ground.