How Movement Improves Children’s Behaviour More Than Talking
When children struggle with behaviour, our first instinct as adults is usually to talk.
We explain.
We reason.
We remind.
We repeat ourselves.
But at Absolute Martial Arts, working with families across Carshalton, Caterham, Ewell, North Cheam, and Redhill, we often see a simple truth:
For many children, movement changes behaviour far more effectively than words.
Why Talking Often Doesn’t Work in the Moment
When emotions are high, children aren’t in a learning state.
In those moments, their brain is focused on:
• Regulating feelings
• Managing energy
• Coping with overwhelm
Trying to reason with a dysregulated child is like trying to teach while the fire alarm is going off.
They’re not ignoring you — their nervous system just isn’t ready to listen.
Children Regulate Through Their Bodies First
Children experience emotions physically.
You’ll often see:
• Fidgeting
• Restlessness
• Excess energy
• Sudden emotional reactions
Before children can regulate emotions mentally, they often need to regulate physically.
Movement helps the body settle — and when the body settles, behaviour improves.
Why Movement Is So Powerful
Physical movement:
• Burns off excess energy
• Reduces stress hormones
• Improves focus
• Helps emotional release
This is why children often behave better after they’ve moved — not after they’ve been talked at.
Movement prepares the brain to listen.
How Martial Arts Uses Movement to Improve Behaviour
In our children’s martial arts classes across Surrey, movement is structured and purposeful.
Children are constantly practising:
• Starting and stopping on command
• Controlling their bodies
• Listening through action
• Resetting themselves physically
This teaches self-control in real time.
Behaviour improves not because children are told what to do — but because they feel more regulated.
Why This Helps With Challenging Behaviour
Children who struggle with:
• Impulsivity
• Emotional outbursts
• Inattention
• Defiance
often need movement before conversation.
Once their body is calmer, guidance lands more easily.
This is why parents often notice better behaviour after martial arts classes — even on difficult days.
Using Movement at Home
Parents can use movement as a regulation tool by:
• Encouraging physical play before homework
• Allowing movement breaks
• Using walks or activity to reset emotions
• Reducing long lectures when emotions are high
You can talk later — when your child is ready to hear it.
Supporting Children Across Surrey
At Absolute Martial Arts in Carshalton, Caterham, Ewell, North Cheam, and Redhill, we help children learn self-control through movement, structure, and repetition.
Parents often tell us they see:
• Calmer behaviour
• Better focus
• Fewer emotional outbursts
• Improved listening
Because children feel more regulated in their bodies.
Final Thought for Parents
Talking has its place.
But for many children, behaviour improves when the body settles first.
Movement isn’t a distraction from learning —
it’s often the gateway to it.