Home > Behavioural Problems > Children and Body Rocking

Children and Body Rocking

Author: Beth Morrisey MLIS - Updated: 8 September 2012 | Comment
 
Body Rocking body Rock rocking Their

Body rocking or the repetitive and rhythmic self-rocking of a child’s body, is a common method of self-soothing in young children. Generally, children who engage in this behaviour will discover it around six months of age and will grow out of it by about three years of age.

Though it may be a little disconcerting for parents to observe, body rocking rarely presents a hazard to children. Rather than worrying, parents should observe the behaviour to better understand it and endeavour to keep their children safe for as long as they choose to engage in body rocking.

Understanding Body Rocking
Children often fall into body rocking as a method of soothing themselves, though sometimes they also body rock as a way of providing pain relief or expressing frustration. Many children softly rock in a rhythm that they find soothing when they are tired and some children regularly do this at bedtime to help themselves fall asleep. Other children do not engage in body rocking routinely but do turn to this behaviour when they are experiencing physical or emotional pain. Some children may also engage in body rocking when they are frustrated and unable – or choose not to – explain their emotions. Finally, other children body rock when they are humming or singing softly (or in their head!), which a simple discussion will help uncover.

Body Rocking and Developmental Disorders
Repetitive motions and behaviours such as body rocking are sometimes a sign of developmental disorders such as Autism, but they are not the only signs. If a child body rocks but does not exhibit any other warning signs then there is usually little cause to worry.

However, if a parent is concerned about a child’s development and observes body rocking and/or other repetitive motions then it would be wise to contact a GP, educational or child mental health professional for further information and/or a professional opinion.

Keeping Children Safe While Body Rocking
Most children who engage in body rocking do not do so with the intention of hurting themselves, but parents should remain vigilant anyway. Parents of children who engage in body rocking while in their cribs, playpens or beds should check that the motions have not loosened any of the pieces nor that there are screws or other pieces that could present a hazard to the child if they bump into them. It might also be possible to drape “bumpers” or soft linens on the sides of furniture and equipment to reduce the impact (and noise) of body rocking. Moving furniture or equipment away from walls may also help keep it intact and from making noise during body rocking episodes.

Body rocking is a behaviour that generally starts at around six months of age and tends to end by a child’s third birthday. Children may engage in body rocking for a variety of reasons, including as a means of soothing themselves, relieving pain or expressing frustration, though it may also be an indicator of a developmental disorder if accompanied by other signs. Parents who are concerned about their child’s body rocking, who observe body rocking beginning after the age of 18 months, or who notice their children engaging in loud or aggressive body rocking during the daytime, should consult their GP for further information.

You might also like...
Leave a Comment...
[Add a Comment]
I do not know if this is rocking or something else. Mynow 18 month old girl started the following about three months ago, just a short while at a time.she now does it for quite long periods every day and in the afternoon falls asleep whilst doing it if she has not yet had her sleep. She climbs onto the furry rocking horse and doesn't actually rock it but hangs her head over the top of its head and hangs her arms down and rubs her hands on his 'withers'. At the same time she grips with her legs and does an up and down movement. (like humping) she will have a neutral expression and if you talk to her she will respond with a smile or laugh.She does not like o be removed from the horse though she can be distracted to something diffferent after a while..I have noticed that she does this if she has done a pooh but that is not always the case. Maybe she does the pooh whilst doing it...She has recently fallen asleep whilst doing this when not in my care. Do we need to be concerned or should we take her to a professional? Thankyou.
toni - 16-Jul-12 @ 5:17 PM
I have a ten year old daughter who rocks and as she gets older rocking is getting worse and now seems to be uncontrolable. I used to think she only did it when she was tired or nervous but now it seems to be at any time what have any of you guys found works to redirect your children from rocking.
Candie - 23-Feb-12 @ 2:05 AM
I just read about the boy who is 10. My son is 8 and also rocks when he is bored, nervous, etc. He does struggle in school with reading and understanding what he has read. The teacher and his special education teacher have e-mailed me a few times that his rocking is disrupting the classroom along with this teachers. I do not know if he should be checked for something or do we keep on reminding him to stop his rocking.
Jen - 23-Jan-12 @ 6:06 PM
My son is 10 years old and still rocks.He usually does it when he is upset, bored. nervous etc.Should we be concerned?His teachers have questioned us and are looking into getting help because they feel his rocking is intereferring with his comprehensionand they don't want him to get picked on by his peers.He is an A student and does well outside of school also with friends .I fyou have anything to add please do.
juz - 28-Dec-11 @ 9:26 PM
Leave a Comment or Ask a Question...
Title:
(never shown)
Firstname:
(never shown)
Surname:
(never shown)
Email:
(never shown)
Nickname:
(shown)
Comment:
Notify:
  Notify me by email when a response is posted
Validate:
Enter word:
Latest Comments
  • Sme
    Re: Bipolar Disorder/Manic Depression
    I have recently been diagnosed with Bipolar at the age of 36. Up until then, from the age of 7-8 I had been treated for…
    23 May 2013
  • Angie
    Re: Children and Whining
    Hello I have a 5 year old boy, who is so naughty, he is alway's moaning, shouting, talking, will not do what he is told, don't listen, shows…
    5 May 2013
  • LittleMoose
    Re: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
    My daughter is now 9 but she has been defiant since birth. Every single thing we did she would struggle against it. When…
    28 April 2013
  • pemz
    Re: Children and Nail Biting
    my two and half year old keeps bites her self but she does not bite any one else can you please give me some help on this matter
    20 April 2013
  • divvy
    Re: Children and Self-Harm
    I know how You feel ive just found Out My son WHO is 14 is self harming although he is denying thisi I've told him how much I love him I…
    12 April 2013
  • waggy
    Re: Children and Aggressive Outbursts
    Ive got a 7 year old who has sever challagen behavour he bits kicks ect he been excluded from main stream and moved to three…
    7 March 2013
Further Reading...
Our Most Popular...
Add to my Yahoo!
Add to Google
Stumble this
Add to Twitter
Add To Facebook
RSS feed
You should seek independent professional advice before acting upon any information on the KidsBehaviour website. Please read our Disclaimer.