If you’ve ever felt like your morning circle time is a game of "Whack-a-Mole"—where as soon as one student sits down, another pops up—you are not alone.

In a busy classroom, we often label these students as "distracted" or "fidgety." However, through the lens of Floortime, we see something different. These children aren't trying to be difficult; they are often "sensory seeking." Their brains are literally craving movement to help them stay alert and focused.

Here are three "Zero-Ringgit" sensory hacks you can use tomorrow to help your fidgety students settle into learning.

1) The "Heavy Work" Helper (Proprioception) 

Some children have a "sensory cup" that is very large. To feel calm and grounded, they need "heavy work"—activities that put pressure on their muscles and joints.

• The Hack: Give the fidgety student a "special job" before a seated task. Have them help you carry a stack of heavy books, push the chairs in, or wipe down the tables with a bit of "muscle power."

• The Science: This provides proprioceptive input, which is naturally organizing and calming for the nervous system.

2) Flexible Seating on a Budget

Not every child’s body is able to sit upright for a full class period.

• The Hack: You don’t need expensive wobble stools. Try using Tape to create a small "movement box" around their desk. Tell the student, "You can stand, kneel, or wiggle, as long as your feet stay inside your box." 

• The Science: Providing a clear visual boundary helps the child understand their "personal space" while still allowing the micro-movements their brain needs to stay awake.

3) The 30-Second Wall Push

When you see a child starting to slump or "crawl" out of their chair, their brain is losing its "Green Zone" of alertness.

• The Hack: Lead the whole class in a "Wall Push" challenge. Everyone stands up, puts their hands on the wall, and tries to "push the wall to the next room" for 10 seconds.

• The Science: This quick burst of resistance resets the vestibular and proprioceptive systems, making it easier for the class to return to a seated task with renewed focus.

Bring "Floortime" to Your School

Does your school need deeper support? We provide Educator Workshops across KL and Selangor, teaching teams how to use Floortime and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) to manage diverse classrooms.

Click Here to book a free 15-minute call via Cal.com to discuss a workshop for your school.