Over the past few years, something has changed in children.

Teachers see it.
Parents feel it.
Kids yoga teachers experience it in every class.

Children are finding it harder to settle.

They struggle to sit still.
Their attention moves quickly from one thing to another.
Even quiet moments can feel uncomfortable for them.

Many adults are asking the same question:

Why can’t children settle anymore?

And more importantly…

How can we help them find calm again?

The good news is that children can learn to regulate themselves, and when they do, it improves their focus, confidence, emotional stability and overall wellbeing.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• Why children are struggling to settle
• What their nervous system actually needs
• Five simple ways to help children find calm again

Why Many Children Struggle to Settle Today

Children today are growing up in a very different environment from previous generations.

Their nervous systems are exposed to constant stimulation.

Many children move from:

screens → school → activities → homework → more screens

with very little time for quiet, stillness or reflection.

This constant stimulation keeps the nervous system in a heightened state of alertness.

When this happens, children can become:

• restless
• easily distracted
• emotionally reactive
• unable to sit quietly
• uncomfortable with stillness

From a nervous system perspective, their bodies are simply stuck in “go mode.”

And when the body is in go mode, it becomes very difficult to slow down.

This is why many children now find it challenging to settle into quiet activities such as reading, listening or simply sitting calmly.

The key is not forcing children to sit still.

Instead, we need to help their bodies transition from activity into calm.

What Children’s Nervous Systems Actually Need

Children regulate themselves through movement, rhythm and sensory awareness.

This is why telling a child to “just calm down” rarely works.

Their nervous system needs a pathway into calm.

Movement is often the first step.

Once the body releases energy through movement, the nervous system can begin to slow down.

Then we can introduce slower activities that help children connect with their breath, body and senses.

Yoga is particularly powerful for this because it combines:

• movement
• breathing
• balance
• body awareness
• quiet stillness

Together, these elements help children move gradually from activity into calm.

5 Ways to Help Children Settle and Find Calm

These simple practices can help children regulate their energy and develop the ability to settle.

1. Start with Movement

Many children need to move before they can become still.

Fast, repetitive movements help release excess energy from the body, and channel the remaining energy into balance.

Some simple ideas include:

• The Zenergy Sitting Routine (See IG and FB for the routine)
• Shaking out arms and legs
• The Zenergy Standing Routine(See IG and FB for the routine)

After a few minutes of movement, children are much more ready to slow down.

This is why well-structured kids yoga classes begin with movement and gradually transition toward calm.

2. Use Balance Poses

Balance poses are one of the most powerful ways to help children focus.

When a child balances, their brain must concentrate on:

• body position
• coordination
• breath
• stillness

Even a few seconds of balance can naturally bring children into a calmer state.

One of the simplest poses is Tree Pose.

Ask children to stand tall, place one foot on the opposite ankle or calf, and focus their eyes on one point.

Often you will notice the whole room become quieter as children focus on balancing.

3. Introduce Quiet Sensory Awareness

Children settle beautifully when they tune into their senses.

Try simple exercises such as:

Listening game

Ask children to close their eyes and listen carefully.

How many sounds can they hear?

• birds
• distant traffic
• wind
• people moving

This shifts their attention inward and encourages quiet awareness.

These moments help children develop the ability to pause and observe, which is a key skill for emotional regulation.

4. Slow the Breath

Breathing can help calm the nervous system, but it needs to be introduced in a simple and playful way.

For younger children, try:

• pretending to smell a flower
• slowly blowing out a candle
• breathing with arms lifting up and down

The aim is not complicated breathing exercises.

It is simply to encourage slow, gentle breaths out.

Even a few calm breaths in and out, begin to relax the body.

5. Create Short Moments of Stillness

Children do not need long meditation practices.

In fact, 1-2 minutes of quiet stillness can be enough.

You might invite children to:

• lie quietly
• notice their body
• feel their body on the floor
• visualise a place in nature

These small moments help children discover that calm is something they can access inside themselves.

Over time, their ability to settle grows stronger.

Why Yoga Is So Powerful for Children

Yoga naturally combines all of the elements children need to regulate their nervous systems.

A well-structured kids yoga class includes:

• movement
• balance
• breathing
• sensory awareness
• relaxation

Together, these help children move from activity into calm in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.

Over time, children begin to develop important life skills such as:

• focus
• emotional regulation
• confidence
• resilience
• self-awareness

These are skills that support children not only in the classroom, but throughout their lives.

Teaching Children to Find Calm Is a Life Skill

One of the most valuable gifts we can give children is the ability to regulate themselves.

When children learn how to settle their bodies and minds, they become more able to:

• manage emotions
• focus in school
• handle challenges
• feel confident in themselves

And this is one of the reasons kids yoga is becoming increasingly popular in schools, studios and wellbeing programmes around the world.

More and more parents, teachers and professionals are recognising the powerful impact that yoga can have on children’s wellbeing.

Want to Learn How to Teach Kids Yoga?

If you’re passionate about helping children develop calm, confidence and emotional resilience, becoming a kids yoga teacher can be an incredibly rewarding path.

At Zenergy Yoga, we train adults to become certified children’s yoga teachers and learn how to run engaging, meaningful and impactful classes for children and teens.

Our training programmes are based on more than 27 years of experience teaching thousands of children and are accredited with Yoga Australia, Yoga Alliance and Aus Active.

If you’d love to learn how to share these tools with children in your community, you can explore our upcoming Kids Yoga Teacher Training Courses here.