If you’re the parent of a small child, you’re probably quite familiar with the fact they just can’t seem to sit still. And there’s a reason for that.

According to parenting coach and hypnotherapsit Jo Walker, it’s down to a biological need.

In a TikTok video, Walker explained that her son is five and “his legs haven’t stopped moving since he came out of the womb”.

“He’s bouncing, wriggling, crashing into furniture, rolling off the sofa like it’s an Olympic event – and I used to think, ‘Is he just ignoring me?’ or ‘is he being defiant?’. But here’s the truth: it’s not bad behaviour, it’s biology,” she said.

The expert explained that young children, especially boys, are “wired” for movement. “Oscar’s not trying to wind me up when he dives headfirst into a pile of cushions, his brain is seeking input,” Walker explained.

“His nervous system is learning how to regulate through physical movement. When kids crash, jump, wriggle, spin – it’s not chaos for the sake of chaos, it’s actually how they build stronger neural pathways. Movement helps their brain develop, helps them focus, and helps them feel calm.”

The magic of movement

Movement is really important for children – as the National Institute For Play explains, “movement play makes kids stronger, more coordinated, more knowledgeable, and more emotionally competent”.

© HuffPost