High Energy or Developmental Red Flag? How Parents Can Tell Difference
"They never stop moving."
"They're wild."
"Is this just a phase....or should I be worried?"
Welcome to one of the most common (and confusing) parenting questions out there. Let's clear it up - without panic, labels, or Google rabbit hole at 2 a.m.
First Things First: High Energy Is Not the Enemy
Some kids are movers. Jumpers. Climbers. Crashers.
That alone is not a problem.
High energy can be:
Healthy
Age-appropriate
a sign of curiosity and drive
The issue isn't how much energy your child has.
It's how well they can control it.
What Typical High Energy Actually Looks Like
High-energy kids usually:
Can stop (even if they complain first)
Respond to structure and routines
Use movement to play, not just crash
Recover quickly after excitement or frustration
Can engage when regulated
They're busy-but organized.
When Energy Becomes a Red Flag 🚩
Here's when it's worth paying closer attention.
Red Flags may include:
Constant crashing, biting, hitting, or head-first movement
Big meltdowns during excitement (not just frustration)
Difficulty calming down even when exhausted
Aggression during play
Movement that looks out of control, not joyful
Behavior that escalates instead of settles with activity
This isn't "bad behavior."
It's often a regulation problem.
The Nervous System Piece Parents Don't Get Told
Kids don't misbehave because they want to drive you nuts (even if it feels personal).
They act out because their nervous system doesn't know how to organize itself yet.
When a child:
Seeks intense movement
Can't slow down
Loses control during excitement
They're usually under-regulate, not defiant.
Why "Just Burn Their Energy" Often Backfires
You've probably been told:
"Take them outside."
"Run them harder."
"They'll crash eventually."
Sometimes that works
Sometimes it ours gasoline on the fire.
Unstructured, chaotic movement can increase dysregulation for kids who need:
Predictable input
Heavy work
Clear boundaries
More movement isn't always the answer.
The right kind of movement is.
What Actually Helps (Starting Now)
OT-approved, sanity-saving strategies:
✔️ Heavy work (pushing, pulling, carrying)
✔️ Predictable movement routines
✔️ Short, frequent movement breaks
✔️ Deep pressure and proprioceptive input
✔️ Structure before stimulation
Translation: organized movement clams the nervous system.
The Honest Parent Check-in
Ask yourself:
Does movement help my child settle-or spiral?
Can they recover after excitement?
Do behaviors worsen when they're overstimulated?
If your gut says, "Something feels off," trust that.
Early support doesn't label your child.
It supports them.
Final Reality Check (Because You Need One)
Your child is not:
Too much
Broken
A lost cause
They're communicating through movement because they don't have the tools yet.
That's where intentional, OT-led support makes a difference.
👉 Mighty Movers channels high energy into coordination, control, and confidence.
👉Mommy & Me helps build regulation early-behaviors snowball.
High energy isn't the problem.
Lack of regulation is.
And the good news?
That's teachable.
