The other day, Arihaan walked into the room, rubbing his fingers together. He wasn’t looking at me, wasn’t saying a word. But I knew—something was making him nervous. Maybe a thought stuck in his head, perhaps something he was trying to avoid.

We’ve all been there, watching our child do something repeatedly—tugging at their sleeves, suddenly asking for water, fidgeting with their toes—and wondering Why they do that?

The truth is our children are constantly communicating with us. Not just with words but with their bodies, behaviours, and even silence. And if we learn to read these signals, we can support them before the big meltdowns, frustration builds up, and they shut down completely.

The Language of Behavior

Think of it like this—when a baby cries, we don’t say, “Use your words!” We instinctively check if they’re hungry, tired, or uncomfortable. Their signals become more subtle as kids grow, but they never stop sending them.

A child who suddenly “needs” a snack before homework may not be hungry. They might be anxious about getting something wrong. Another child who refuses to put on their shoes might not be “acting out” but avoiding an overwhelming environment.

When we start seeing the behaviour as communication rather than misbehaviour, we shift from reacting to understanding.

3 Simple Steps to Decode Your Child’s Signals

Let’s keep it simple: Watch 👀 – Pause ⏸️ – Respond 💬

1️⃣ WATCH – Step back and observe. Does your child start pacing before speaking? Do they ask irrelevant questions when nervous? Noticing patterns is the first step in understanding.

2️⃣ PAUSE – Instead of jumping in with “What’s wrong?”, wait a few seconds. Sometimes, silence is all they need to process their feelings.

3️⃣ RESPOND – Meet them where they are. If they’re fidgeting, hand them something small to hold. If they’re avoiding a task, break it into tiny steps. If they’re overwhelmed, offer a choice to help them feel more in control.

Try This: The 5-Minute Observation Challenge.

Today, take 5 minutes to silently watch your child. No interruptions, no instructions—just notice. What are their go-to gestures? Do they have a “thinking face”? A “worried hands” moment?

Drop a comment below and tell us what you observed! If you need help decoding your child’s signals, let’s chat. Book a 1:1 session with me here 👉 https://topmate.io/namita_das11.

Our kids are always talking. Let’s make sure we’re listening. ❤️

Recommended Products for Supporting Your Child’s Needs

Understanding your child’s signals is the first step, but providing the right tools can make a big difference in helping them regulate their emotions and focus better. Here are some helpful sensory and fidget toys that can support your child’s development: 

1. Assorted Fidget Sensory Toy Box – A variety of sensory tools designed to help children with stress and anxiety relief.
2. Appash Fidget Cube – A compact, stress-relieving cube perfect for children who need tactile stimulation to stay focused.
3. LIVYU LIFE Fidget Pad – An interactive fidget toy with eight functions to help children with focus and anxiety.
4. Morf Fidget Worm Toy – A quiet and engaging sensory toy that helps with self-regulation.
5. Fidget Dodecagon Cube – A 12-sided fidget toy designed for children with ADHD, anxiety, or sensory processing needs. 

These products can help your child stay calm, focused, and engaged while supporting their ability to communicate their needs more effectively.