Why Rhythm, Movement and Tapping Help Children Feel Calm

As adults, we often ask children to “calm down”, “use their words”, or “take a breath”.

But for young children — especially babies, toddlers and pre schoolers — calm doesn’t begin with thinking.

It begins in the body.

At Breathe In Bliss Out, our children’s classes include a short, gentle regulation phase called Calm It, which forms part of our “Feel It · Move It · Calm It” approach.

This blog explains the science and developmental reasoning behind why rhythm, movement and tapping are so effective for children — and why this approach is increasingly used in early years, education and wellbeing settings.

Children Regulate Through Their Bodies, Not Their Thoughts

Young children’s brains are still developing the areas responsible for reasoning, impulse control and emotional regulation. The part of the brain that manages logical thinking and verbal expression matures much later than the systems responsible for movement, sensation and emotion.

This means that when a child is overwhelmed, excited or dysregulated:

• they cannot “think their way” back to calm

• they need sensory and physical input to help their nervous system settle

  This is why rocking soothes babies, why toddlers calm when held, and why repetitive movement feels grounding for children of all ages.

The Role of the Nervous System

The nervous system has two main states relevant here:

• a high-alert state (often called fight, flight or freeze)

• a settled state, where the body feels safe and regulated

Children move between these states constantly throughout the day — especially during play, excitement, transitions, or emotional moments.

Rhythmic movement, predictable patterns and gentle sensory input help signal to the nervous system that it is safe to shift out of high alert and into a calmer state.

This process is known as regulation.

Why Rhythm Is So Powerful

Rhythm is one of the earliest regulators humans experience. From before birth, babies are exposed to:

• a heartbeat

• breathing rhythms

• rocking and repetitive movement

Predictable rhythm gives the nervous system something steady to orient towards. In children, rhythm:

• reduces sensory overload

• supports attention and focus

• creates a sense of safety and predictability

This is why children instinctively enjoy clapping games, nursery rhymes and repetitive songs — their nervous systems respond to the structure.

Why Tapping and Cross-Body Movement Help

Gentle tapping (on knees, hands or shoulders) and alternating left–right movement provide:

• consistent sensory feedback

• engagement of both sides of the body

• a grounding focus for attention

This kind of bilateral movement is widely used in early years settings, occupational therapy and trauma-informed practice because it helps the brain integrate information and reduces overwhelm.

Importantly, in our sessions:

• tapping is always optional

• there is no pressure to perform or copy

• children can watch, cuddle a parent, or move away

The benefit comes from exposure and experience, not instruction.

Why We Do This After Movement

Most of our children’s sessions are playful, imaginative and physically active. Movement is essential — but without a gentle wind-down, children can leave sessions overstimulated rather than settled.

The Calm It phase acts like a calm-down corner:

• it supports transition

• it helps children notice when their bodies are slowing

• it allows the nervous system to return to balance

This is especially supportive for children who struggle with transitions, big emotions or sensory sensitivity.

For Babies and Under 2s: Co-Regulation

For babies and toddlers, regulation is co-regulation — meaning it happens with an adult.

In our under-2s sessions:

• parents or carers hold their child

• rhythm and tapping are adult-led

• babies experience calm through touch, movement and connection

There is no expectation for babies to copy or sit still. Simply being held by a calm adult is enough for the nervous system to learn what safety feels like.

What This Is — and What It Isn’t

It’s important to be clear:

✔ This is not therapy

✔ Children are not asked to talk about emotions

✔ There is no labelling or analysing of behaviour

Instead, this is:

• age-appropriate nervous system support

• embedded within play and movement

• child-led and optional at all times

It supports emotional wellbeing without placing responsibility or pressure on the child.

Why This Matters for Parents and Educators

When children experience regular, gentle regulation:

• emotional resilience builds over time

• transitions become easier

• focus and attention improve

• children feel safer in their bodies

These skills don’t come from explanation — they come from repetition and experience.

By modelling calm, predictable regulation strategies, adults give children tools they will carry with them far beyond the session.

In Summary

Children don’t calm by being told to calm.

They calm when their bodies feel safe.

Rhythm, movement and gentle tapping work because they meet children exactly where they are developmentally — in the body first, and the mind later.

That’s the science behind Feel It · Move It · Calm It.

Breathe In Bliss Out - Supporting emotional wellbeing through movement, rhythm and play.