Why does my daughter spin around for fun?
My 20 months old daughter is in very good shape and is growing very well.
She has discovered how to play the music sound system and we are listening to the same record over and over again. In the course of these moments, sometimes she starts enjoying it very much to the point of laughing, running around the living room and, eventually, spinning around.
This last thing is the one that impresses me the most: how come spinning around is this enjoyable for her? I have talked with other fellow parents and they also recognize this behaviour.
To make my point clear, by spinning around I mean her rotating around her axis many, many times (say ten or so). Then, she tries to walk normally and the effect of the rotation makes her wobble, walk strangely and sometimes even fall down. To her fun, of course, because she laughs while doing it.
Her spinning also includes us, the parents, from time to time: she will grab our hand and start running around us, so we also do rotate. To me this is hard because I get sick after the second turn, so I just stop myself.
I assume this is not dangerous, so my concern is: what is the reason for her spinning around? Is there any kind of feeling they get at this age that I cannot perceive as an adult?
(3)3 Comments
Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best
I am 26. When I was younger, I got my first stereo about six and I don't know how it started, but I spin but at the same time I can say dream. I do it all the time when I'm sad or angry, it's my little thing I go and do, I've always done. I like the way I feel when I spin and I can do it for ages, but I don't let anyone see me do. I keep it private but a think it's my own thing, my comfort and I have to use loud music to spin.
Spinning actually produces a state of ecstasy. Dancing, in general, releases endorphins and serotonin, but spinning is particularly effective at this. Kids are not inhibited by social norms that might make them feel they look silly, so they have no restraints to prevent them from enjoying this form of mood-elevation.
Spinning also helps kids train their balance system, which is still developing until around fifteen years of age.
Another thing that prevents many adults from enjoying this is nausea. The precise causes are not known, but it is thought that nausea develops because the brain thinks that the blur of information means you ate something toxic. The inner ear (which aids in sensing balance) deteriorates with age, making adults more susceptible to these effects.
Sources:
Sufi Meditation and Positive Mental Health - York Biofeedback
Why Kids Love Getting Dizzy - Brain Decoder
I personally liked the same experience, too, and not only till my 20-th month, AFAIR. It is really funny your body slips out of control as a result of such simple action as several turns. :)
She just discovers that mysterious phenomena happen not only in external world, but also in her own body, and the behaviour is probably one of her first experiments with it. I wouldn't worry at all. Just watch her, in case she tries it too close to a wall, a table or some toys on a floor, and enjoy her fun.
Terms of Use Privacy policy Contact About Cancellation policy © freshhoot.com2025 All Rights reserved.