4 Quirky Kid Behaviors That Actually Have Purpose

Sniffing things

My kiddo is also a sniffer. He's been carrying around a stuffed duck since forever. He snuggles that old bird up to his nose and inhales deep yoga-worthy breaths. Biel isn't surprised by my son's continued love of the lovey. "Does he do it when he's sleepy or when he's upset?" she asks me. Yes and yes.

"Smell is the one sensory system that connects directly with the limbic system، which is the emotion، memory، and pleasure center of the brain،" says Biel. "It's all about association، and kids often sniff things that conjure up pleasant memories that they find comforting."

Fidgeting

"Touching، feeling، squeezing، poking، hair twirling، and all other similar forms of fidgeting generate sensations that feed a child's hunger for touch—and often his need for a very specific type of small movement as well،" says Dr. Miller. The body releases the feel-good neurotransmitter oxytocin in response to finger and hand tactile-seeking movements، like repeatedly touching a soft tag or gently stroking your hair، according to research.3

Beyond the calming effect، fidgeting can help kids concentrate too. "We know that all children move more during challenging mental activities than they do during ones that are less challenging،" says Michael J. Kofler، Ph.D.، associate professor of psychology at Florida State University in Tallahassee، Florida. "Children are using small movements to stimulate their brain. For some kids، particularly those with ADHD، the fidgeting helps keep their brain engaged and bolsters working memory."