Building Sitting Tolerance in Children: Practical Tips for Young Parents

Introduction

All parents want their children to sit calmly and engage in different activities for a long period of time.

Building sitting tolerance is an important developmental milestone that helps improve the cognitive, social, and academic skills of a child. 

In this article, we will be discussing some important tips on how to help improve your child’s sitting tolerance.

What is Sitting Tolerance?

Sitting tolerance refers to the development of the skill to sit still and be patient without getting distracted easily.

Sitting tolerance is an important ability required in school, during mealtime, and even during play activities. It includes skills like being focused, understanding new abilities, and handling things. 

Children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and ASD (autism spectrum disorder) may struggle to grasp sitting tolerance due to behavioral problems. These behavioral difficulties may include sensory problems, difficulty in communicating, and less attention span.

When do Children Develop Sitting Tolerance?

Children develop sitting tolerance as early as 1 year of age. These children show a sitting tolerance of about 30 to 60 minutes.

As the child grows, his or her sitting tolerance will also increase as children can engage in an activity for a longer time as they grow older. 

Sitting tolerance is mostly seen in a child’s school years as it is a key characteristic for performing some important school skills and activities like taking or following instructions, retaining information, and completing a school activity.

Why is Sitting Tolerance Important?

Sitting tolerance is an important requirement for a child’s proper language development. For a child to develop proper language skills, he or she needs to follow instructions, pay attention, engage in various activities, etc.

Lack of sitting tolerance could have a negative impact on the child's social relationships with family and friends, as well as negatively impact the child’s performance at school.

At Butterfly Learnings, our priority is to evaluate a child's sitting tolerance and improve it. We then prepare the child to move to the next stage of verbal expression.

What Conditions Could Be Associated with Lack of Sitting Tolerance in Children?

ASD or autism spectrum disorder in children is one of the most common conditions associated with a lack of sitting tolerance. 

Children having ASD usually have poor muscle control because of which they are unable to maintain a proper posture. These children also face various problems in their social life and struggle with sitting while performing various activities.

Sensory stimuli like sounds, lights, sounds, or certain visuals can also cause sensory problems in autistic children and make it difficult for them to sit through an activity.

Children with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) or other behavioral and developmental disorders may also show a lack of sitting tolerance.

When Should I be Concerned?

If you notice the following signs and symptoms in your child, you should consider seeking professional help for your child:

• The child is unable to sit through an activity that he or she enjoys
• The child does not interact or play with his or her peers
• The child has a difficult time following instructions at school
• The child lacks joint-attention

Our specialists and therapists at Butterfly Learnings can help assess your child thoroughly and offer successful interventions and therapies to help your child.

How to Improve Sitting Tolerance in Children?

You can improve your child’s sitting tolerance in the following ways:

1. Choose an activity your child enjoys

Your child is more likely to sit for a long period of time when performing an activity that he or she enjoys doing.

To increase sitting tolerance in your child, choose an activity that your child likes and encourage the child to complete the activity while sitting in one place.

2. Gradually increase the duration of activities

You should start with simple activity sessions with your child lasting for a short time. Gradually, you can increase the duration of these treatment sessions as your child’s sitting tolerance improves.

3. Choose a distraction-free and calm environment

Children with less sitting tolerance, especially children having autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), get distracted easily and have problems paying attention to specific activities.

You should choose a calm and distraction-free environment for such children to prevent distractions and improve sitting tolerance.

4. Help the child do a task in smaller steps

Doing a large or complicated task can be difficult for a child. This type of task could lead to frustration and anxiety in the child. You can break down a complex activity into smaller steps to make it easier and acceptable for the child.

For example, if a child is assembling a big puzzle, help the child to first assemble only one or two pieces of the puzzle at a time and gradually assemble more pieces.

Common Activities to Improve Sitting Tolerance in Children

Some common activities that you can use to encourage your child to sit in one place include the following:

• Listening to music
• Singing songs
• Breathing activities
• Puzzles
• Board games
• Drawing or craft activities
• Playing with slime or clay
• Playing with sand
• Sitting on a therapy ball or sensory chairs
• Fidget toys
• Other play activities like throwing a ball in the cup, arranging beads according to size or color, etc.

Benefits of Improving Sitting Tolerance in Children

Improving the sitting tolerance of your child can have several benefits, such as:

• Improves focus
• Boosts memory
• Improves ability to follow instructions or directions
• Reduces hyperactivity
• Reduces fidgeting
• Calms and regulates emotions
• Reduces excessive physical activities like climbing or jumping

How ABA Therapy at Butterfly Learnings Can Help Improve Sitting Tolerance in Children?

ABA therapy is a research-based therapy in which a child is rewarded for good behavior so that the child repeats the behavior. In other words, the positive behaviors are being reinforced in the child. Negative or bad behaviors are discouraged to gradually decrease the frequency of such behaviors till they completely stop.

This therapy is particularly useful in children with autism and other behavioral or developmental disorders to help teach them sitting tolerance, as well as other positive behaviors.

Our experienced ABA therapists at Butterfly Learnings Center use evidence-based interventions and techniques to help improve your child’s sitting tolerance and attention span. We will also guide you on how to use these ABA techniques at home to improve your child’s sitting tolerance.

Conclusion

Building sitting tolerance in children could be challenging for the parents. The process requires a lot of understanding, patience, and consistency from the parents. 

Some common ways in which a child’s sitting tolerance can be improved include engaging the child in activities that he/she enjoys, breaking a complex task into simple steps, gradually increasing the duration of activities, and performing all activities in a calm and distraction-free environment.

Additionally, the use of ABA therapy in children with developmental or behavioral therapies can not just improve the sitting tolerance in such children but also help improve their general well-being and quality of life.

You can contact some of the best ABA therapists in India at Butterfly Learnings to help build your child’s sitting tolerance in a child-friendly and safe environment.

FAQs

Q. Are there specific activities or games that can improve my child's sitting tolerance?

A. Yes, there are various activities and games that can improve your child's sitting tolerance. Some examples include puzzles, sketching, building blocks, pretend play scenarios, storytelling, and creative expression through art or crafts. 

Choose activities that your child is interested in and try to gradually increase the complexity of the activity as your child’s sitting tolerance improves.

Q. Can ABA therapy help in improving sitting tolerance in children?

A. Yes, applied behavior analysis or ABA therapy involves the use of various methods and techniques that help in managing the behavioral and developmental limitations of your child, which includes poor sitting tolerance.

Our skilled ABA therapists at Butterfly Learnings use interventions and techniques customized to the specific needs and conditions of the child. We use reinforcement techniques to increase your child’s attention span and encourage positive behaviors.

Q. How do I create a calm environment to help increase my child's sitting tolerance?

A. To create a calm environment, go to a quiet and well-lit area in your house where your child can do all types of activities without any form of distraction. 

Remove all forms of distractions from that area, such as loud noises, visual clutter, or electronic devices. 

Try to follow a consistent routine and schedule your child’s activities at a time when there are less likely to be any interruptions or distractions. Try to actively participate in your child’s activities to encourage the child and help maintain focus while performing a particular activity.

Q. How will I know if my child has sitting tolerance issues?

A. Some warning signs could indicate that your child is struggling with sitting tolerance issues. These signs may include:

• Frequent fidgeting 
• Restlessness during activities
• Problems in staying focused for long periods
• Avoiding any type of seated task
• Frustration or irritability when asked to sit for an activity

If your child shows any of the above symptoms, you can contact our experienced specialists and therapists at Butterfly Learnings for a proper evaluation of your child’s condition and necessary interventions to successfully manage the problems your child may be facing.