EP 67 Why Some Kids Can’t Sit Still (And It’s Not What You Think) with Dr. Christine Payard
Conversations with KristiShow Notes
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
How retained reflexes can impact attention, behaviour, and coordination
Why children often develop creative workarounds when learning is difficult
The importance of crawling, movement, and sensory development
How educators can better understand what behaviour may be communicating
Why supporting the body-brain connection can improve learning outcomes
Why This Conversation Matters
Many children who struggle in classrooms are quickly labelled as disruptive, inattentive, or difficult.
But as Dr. Christine explains, behaviour is often the body communicating something important.
When children haven’t fully integrated early movement patterns or reflexes, their nervous systems may still be working hard just to regulate movement, balance, or focus. This means far less energy is available for academic learning.
Understanding the body-brain connection can help educators and parents shift from asking:
“What’s wrong with this child?”
to asking:
“What might this child’s body be telling us?”
When we understand how development works, we can support children in ways that build confidence, resilience, and learning capacity.
About Dr. Christine Payard
Dr. Christine Payard is an educator, researcher, and neurodevelopment specialist who works with schools and educators to help them better understand how early development impacts learning.
Her work focuses on the connection between movement, reflex development, sensory systems, and academic learning, helping teachers identify underlying developmental factors that may influence behaviour and learning in the classroom.
Dr. Christine is the creator of the Body to Brain Learning at School program, which provides educators with practical tools and strategies to support children’s neurological readiness for learning.
Learn More About Dr. Christine’s Work
🌐 Website https://bodytobrainlearning.com
📱 Social Media Instagram/Facebook: @bodytobrainlearning
💼 LinkedIn Dr. Christine Payard
Practical Support & Resources
If this episode has raised questions about parenting, boundaries, or guiding children through adolescence, Kristi offers trauma-informed education and practical tools for parents
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