EP 67 Why Some Kids Can’t Sit Still (And It’s Not What You Think) with Dr. Christine Payard

In this episode of Conversations with Kristi, Kristi sits down with neurodevelopment specialist and educator Dr. Christine Payard to explore something many parents and teachers have never been taught - how early physical development shapes the way children learn.

Dr. Christine explains how the body and brain work together during the earliest years of life, and how movements such as rolling, crawling, balancing, and reflex responses play a foundational role in learning, attention, reading, and behaviour later on.

Together, Kristi and Dr. Christine unpack the concept of primitive reflexes - automatic movement responses present from birth - and how these reflexes help build the neurological pathways that support learning. When these reflexes don’t fully mature, children may struggle with things like sitting still, focusing, reading, or coordinating their movements.

This conversation challenges the idea that children who struggle in school simply “aren’t trying hard enough.” Instead, it encourages parents and educators to consider what a child’s body might be communicating about their learning needs.

Kristi and Dr. Christine also discuss why many children are quickly labelled with behavioural or attention challenges, when in reality their nervous system may still be developing foundational skills that support learning.

This episode is not about blame - for parents, teachers, or children.

It’s about understanding development, recognising what children’s bodies are telling us, and supporting them to thrive.

Content Covered in This Episode

What primitive reflexes are and why they matter in early development

How early movement patterns influence learning later in life

Why some children physically struggle to sit still or concentrate

The connection between balance, vision, and reading ability