Every parent at some time or other is driven crazy by a child that won’t stop spinning or rolling.  They seem to do it in the bank around the rails put there to form the line, when shopping, at home…. it seems endless and trying to get them to stand still and stop it is like saying stop breathing.

When parents really understand what is happening, they are more likely to help their child and assist the development and get less stressed.  The vestibular system is something that we all have and it is essential to movement, balance, and works in conjunction with many other body systems like the eyes.  I am sure you have all had an ear infection at some time or other.  Doesn’t it make you feel dizzy?  Especially if you bend over or get up too quickly!

Our vestibular system is our internal direction monitor.  It tells our body which way is up, how fast we are going, what direction we are going (forwards or backwards) and helps our body re gravitate itself in space, helping the eyes to focus and helping the muscles to gain control, stopping us from falling over on the ground.

This system lives in the the inner ear and is stimulated during many activities but especially during rocking, rolling or spinning.  The vestibular system upgrades in children.  There are several during a child’s life…. before they learn to crawl, before they learn to walk, again before they learn to jump and again before they learn to hop.  This “upgrade” happens before the new skill can be acquired as without the additional balance skills needed, we would not be able to do those things.  During the upgrades, the vestibular system becomes faster at helping our body to adjust to the circumstances.

When your child is spinning and spinning or rolling and rolling and you can’t stop them, their vestibular system is probably in the upgrade phase.  This may take 6 weeks and then shortly after, you will see the new skill emerge.  As a teacher of early childhood children, I often see an upgrade happen between the ages of 1.5 – 2.5 years before a child learns to jump.  They will often try to jump prior to this, and their heels may leave the ground but the toes won’t.  If they did before the vestibular system was ready, they would not be able to land on their feet again, but would fall over.

Another upgrade happens around 3 – 4 years when a child learns to hop on one foot.

When a parent is aware of what is happening, you can assist by taking them somewhere safe so they can spin, roll or do what they are doing.  It is a phase and be patient with them – it won’t last forever and then you will soon see the skill emerge.  It is a fascinating process to watch!

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Filed under: Child Development

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