Activities that encourage a child to move or STOP moving in response to a cue help the child develop inhibitory control.
This ability to control one’s own body movements is an important first step toward developing both coordination and self-discipline.
Tips for parents:
One start/stop learning game for kids is to turn on a favorite recording or song and have your child dance until you push “pause”. Then start dancing again when the music starts up again.
Learning Through Sign Language
You can also teach your child this ASL sign for STOP. Sometimes giving children something to do, i.e., making the sign for stop themselves, helps them be able to stop their bodies.
– Contributed by Theresa Case, whose Greenville, SC program, Kindermusik at Piano Central Studios, is proudly among the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide.