Many parents recognize this moment.

It’s late afternoon. Dinner isn’t ready. The floor was just cleaned. And suddenly your child becomes unusually active—jumping on the couch, crashing into pillows, throwing their body down again and again, as if they simply can’t stop.

It’s easy to label this as too much energy or misbehavior. But from a child-development and sensory perspective, this kind of movement often points to something else: the body trying to feel more stable.

Why does this happen so often in the evening?

For many children, late afternoon and evening are the hardest parts of the day. After hours of stimulation—school routines, social expectations, noise, transitions—the body is tired.

And when fatigue sets in, sensory systems can work less efficiently, especially the ones responsible for body awareness. At that point, children don’t “decide” to act out. They use movement to recalibrate themselves.

Proprioception: How children feel where their body is

Proprioception is a sensory system that comes from the muscles, joints, and bones. It constantly tells the brain:

• Where the body is in space
• How much force is being used
• Whether the body feels stable and controlled

When proprioceptive input is clear and consistent, children move without thinking about it. When it becomes unclear—often due to fatigue or sensory overload—children instinctively seek stronger physical input.

Why jumping and crashing seem to help

When a child jumps and lands, or presses their body into cushions, the joints and muscles receive deep pressure input.

In occupational therapy, these kinds of activities are often described as “heavy work”. They’re commonly used to support proprioceptive processing and overall regulation.

For many children, this type of input can help:

• Clarify body boundaries
• Increase the sense of “I am here”
• Bring the nervous system back toward balance

Important: Jumping does not calm every child, every time.

A Critical Distinction: Regulating vs. Overstimulated

Parents can often tell the difference by observing what happens after the movement.

If you’re seeing overstimulation, continuing the activity usually adds stress rather than relieving it.

Why supporting proprioception matters

The answer goes beyond the moment. There are three key developmental benefits:

1) Clearer body boundaries

Proprioceptive input helps children better judge distance and pressure. This is why some children get labeled as “rough” or “clumsy” when what they need is clearer body feedback.

2) A foundation for emotional regulation

For young children, emotional control starts with physical stability. When the body feels grounded, the brain becomes more available for listening and problem-solving. Regulation comes before reasoning.

3) Better conditions for focus

Attention isn’t about forcing stillness—it’s about reducing internal sensory “noise.” Regular input can reduce the need for physical “resetting,” making it easier to sit for a story.