How Kid’s Bedtime Wiggles Actually Help Them Sleep Better!
Many parents believe that kids need to be perfectly still to fall asleep—but that’s not true! 🌀 In fact, allowing kids to move their hands or feet while settling down can actually help them fall asleep faster. 💡 Why Movement Helps Kids Sleep 🧠 Releases excess energy: Children naturally have more active nervous systems than adults. Gentle movement—like wiggling their fingers or stretching their legs—helps discharge built-up energy, making it easier to relax. 💨 Regulates the nervous system: Small, repetitive motions help activate the parasympathetic nervous system—the part of the brain responsible for calming the body and reducing stress hormones like cortisol. 💤 Transitions them into sleep mode: Just like rocking a baby, light movement helps create a rhythm that soothes the brain, signaling that it’s safe to relax. ✨ Tricks to Help Fidgety Kids Sleep Faster 🧸 Try a bedtime fidget: Give them a soft stuffed animal or a small fidget toy to hold in bed. Squeezing or rubbing the toy can help them focus on calm movement instead of feeling restless. 🎈 The “Floating Balloon” Trick: Tell them to pretend their feet are floating balloons. 🎈 Ask them to gently lift and lower their feet like balloons drifting in the wind—this small motion releases tension while keeping them focused on relaxation. 🦶 Encourage gentle stretching: Before bed, have them stretch their legs and wiggle their toes—this helps release tight muscles and gives the body the cue that it’s time to wind down. 🎶 Use a slow, soothing rhythm: Try a soft lullaby, white noise, or a bedtime meditation to gently guide their movements into stillness. 💡 REMEMBER: Kids aren’t resisting sleep—they’re learning how to settle their bodies. Letting them move a little doesn’t mean they won’t sleep—it actually helps them sleep better! ✅ Try this with your child tonight! Have you noticed your little one wiggling before sleep? Let me know in the comments! 👇✨ 🔔 Subscribe for more powerful kids’ sleep tips! 😴 #MsVMeditations #KidsSleepScience #ParentingHacks
