- Mom on the Clock
- Posts
- Reaction Time: The Hidden Skill Under Every Toddler Move
Reaction Time: The Hidden Skill Under Every Toddler Move
Why fast brain-to-body communication matters—and how to build it through play
Eliana Savitsky
December 12, 2025
✨ Hey there!
Ever notice your kid hesitates before stepping off a curb, grabbing a toy, catching a ball, or responding when you call their name?
That’s reaction time—and it’s one of the most important developmental skills we almost never talk about.
Today we’re breaking down what reaction time really is, why it matters for safety and confidence, and the simple ways to strengthen it right at home.
✨ First Things First: Quick Wins for You
Tools that naturally build quicker reactions, coordination, timing, and body awareness:
🎾 Light up ball — Lights + movement = quicker visual tracking and faster “go” moments
🟦 Foam Dice Set — Roll and run to the number and color to build instant response skills
🎶 Kids Freeze Dance Playlist — Instant stop-and-go training for the nervous system
→ Spotify freeze dance playlist for kids
These turn reaction time work into play—exactly how OT prefers it.
🧠 What Reaction Time Really Is (OT Lens)
One morning while rushing to get out the door, I dropped a sock on the floor. Before I could bend down, my toddler sprinted over, grabbed it, and handed it back like he had just saved the world.
Another day?
Call his name, and he’d stare at me like he was buffering.
Same kid.
Same environment.
But two totally different reaction times.
That’s when it hit me again from the OT lens:
Kids don’t react slowly because they’re “ignoring” us. Their nervous system is still learning how to process incoming information and respond quickly.
Reaction time is a skill just like crawling, rolling, or grasping—and it gets faster with practice.
Reaction time is the speed at which your child’s brain:
Notices something
Decides what to do
Gets the body to move
It’s the foundation for:
– safety awareness
– balance
– problem solving
– emotional regulation
– social interaction
– sports
– self-care tasks
– listening skills
When reaction time is slow, kids may seem hesitant, distracted, clumsy, or uncoordinated—but what’s actually happening is that their brain is still wiring the “hear it, process it, do something about it” pathway.
🌱 Why Reaction Time Matters
Here’s why we care so much from an OT perspective:
1. Safety
Faster reactions = avoiding falls, stopping at curbs, responding to warnings.
2. Communication
Kids who process information quickly respond more easily in conversations and play.
3. Emotional Regulation
When the body reacts too slowly, frustration rises quickly.
Faster reactions = smoother transitions.
4. Motor Coordination
Everything from catching a ball to climbing playground steps improves.
5. Classroom Skills
Turns, instructions, listening, movement cues—reaction time is everywhere.
🛠️ 5-Minute Reaction Time Routine (OT Approved)
1️⃣ Freeze Dance (90 seconds)
Play music → stop it suddenly → have your child freeze like a statue.
This builds auditory processing + motor inhibition.
2️⃣ Roll & Run (60 seconds)
Roll a foam die.
Call out: “Find the number 3!” or “Run to the blue toy!”
This builds visual processing + quick decision-making.
3️⃣ Light-Up Ball Chase (60 seconds)
Throw or roll a light-up ball.
Let them run, grab, or catch the glow.
Great for visual tracking + timing.
4️⃣ Fast–Slow Follow (60 seconds)
March fast.
Then slow.
Then SUPER fast.
Then SUPER slow.
This builds motor planning + adaptability.
5️⃣ The “Name Tap” Game (60 seconds)
Say a body part → they tap it.
“Head… knees… toes… shoulders… belly… back!”
Boosts processing speed like nothing else.
Simple. Powerful. Designed for the brain.
💬 Last Week’s Parent Check-In Results
Last week, we asked which Thanksgiving moments your little ones enjoyed most during family time. Here’s what you shared:
🍽️ 34% — Helping in the kitchen
Stirring, handing utensils, and being part of the action brought the biggest smiles.
👨👩👧 29% — Being around family
Watching faces, hearing voices, soaking it all in—connection over activity.
🫂 21% — Quiet time with one trusted adult
Snuggles, calm corners, and stepping away from the noise were key.
🥧 11% — Eating special foods
Textures, tastes, and tiny bites stole the show.
🎉 5% — Loving the chaos
These kiddos thrived on the buzz and excitement.
A beautiful reminder that there’s no “right” way to enjoy the holidays—just different nervous systems needing different things.
💬 This Week’s Parent Check-In
Which description best fits your child’s reaction time right now?
1️⃣ Fast reactor — responds quickly and loves fast-paced games
2️⃣ Slow to warm up — needs more time to process before acting
3️⃣ Depends on the day — sometimes quick, sometimes delayed
4️⃣ Unsure — still figuring it out
👉 Reply with your number.
Next week, I’ll share the breakdown—plus OT strategies based on your child’s reaction style.
Wrapping Up for Today
Reaction time isn’t about speed—it’s about connection between the brain and body.
When we support that connection through playful practice, kids become more confident, coordinated, safe, and emotionally steady.
And the best part?
Your child is already building these skills every time they play with you.
Big high-five,
Eliana
|
Reply