This may seem like a strange question to ask, and I can’t blame you if your first response is to say, “Well, duh! That’s just what 4 year olds do!”
I teach three levels of kindy – 4, 5, and 6 year olds respectively. I notice that my 4 years olds, when left to their own devices, will do little but run in a circle and fall down on purpose. In fact, they’ll fall down on purpose when given the slightest opportunity. They seem to really enjoy this. My 5 year olds do this a tad, but not much. My 6 year olds never.
This running in circles and falling down, whether done in tandem or separetely, used to annoy me. Now I think it’s normal and should be tolerated.
Is there a neurological reason why 3 to 4 year olds love to do this so much? Someone once told me that the reason kids love to spin on merry go rounds is because this stimulates the growth of the protein myelin around neurons, which accelerates nerve impulses. It wouldn’t surprise me if running in a 2-3 meter diameter circle accomplished the same effect.
As for falling down on purpose, does it help train the vestibular sensors (balance sensing organs in the inner ear)? That’s the best explanation I can think of.
All I know is, by 5 years old this urge is completely gone. Much to the relief of someone like me, who wishes his kids could stay standing during morning stretching exercises. :s
