Behavioral disorders: COCO MOVES as an outlet and emotional regulation
In the daily life of a classroom, you, teachers, are often on the front line facing a multitude of challenges. Among the most complex to manage, behavioral disorders hold a prominent place.
At DYNSEO, we are convinced that technology, when designed with a pedagogical and human approach, can become a valuable ally. It is in this spirit that we developed our applications COCO THINKS and COCO MOVES.
We firmly believe that to calm the mind, one must also listen to the body. This article explores how COCO MOVES can serve as an outlet and a tool for emotional regulation for students with behavioral disorders.
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1. Understanding behavioral disorders: decoding before correcting
Before trying to "correct" a behavior, it seems essential to attempt to decode it. A child's behavior is a form of language, often the only one they have when words fail to express frustration, anxiety, or sensory overload.
Behavior as the visible part of the iceberg
Imagine an iceberg. The restless or oppositional behavior you observe in class is just the tip that is visible. Beneath the surface lies a much larger mass of invisible causes: cognitive overload, an unidentified learning difficulty, performance anxiety, hypersensitivity, or simply an unmet physiological need for movement.
Treating only the symptom (the restlessness) without questioning its source is often doomed to failure. It is like trying to melt the tip of the iceberg with a hairdryer while ignoring the immense mass of ice that lies beneath.
💡 Practical advice
Before intervening on a behavior, ask yourself three questions: What is this child trying to express? What unmet need is hidden behind this agitation? How can I help them express what they feel in another way?
This empathetic approach transforms your view of the "difficult" student. You no longer see a disruptor, but a child in distress trying to communicate with the means they have. This nuance is fundamental to establishing a trusting relationship and implementing effective support strategies.
2. The biological imperative of movement in children
The traditional school framework, which values stillness and silent concentration, sometimes comes into direct conflict with the very nature of the child. The body needs to move for the brain to function optimally.
Neuroscience in the service of understanding
Physical activity helps oxygenate the brain, release neurotransmitters essential for attention and memory (such as dopamine and norepinephrine), and regulate the nervous system. For a child whose "internal motor" is running at full speed, sitting still for long periods can be a real challenge, generating tension that eventually expresses itself in an explosive and disorderly manner.
🧠 Key points about the brain and movement
- Movement activates the production of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), essential for neuroplasticity
- Physical exercise improves executive function by 20 to 30%
- Prolonged sedentariness decreases the activity of the prefrontal areas responsible for behavioral control
- 15 minutes of physical activity can improve attention for 2 hours
- Movement promotes the synchronization of neurons, optimizing learning
This scientific understanding sheds new light on behavioral "disorders." A child who is fidgeting is not necessarily undisciplined: they may simply be responding to a fundamental physiological need that our educational system does not sufficiently recognize.
The cognitive cost of forced immobility
Asking some children to sit still and concentrate for hours imposes a double task on them: not only must they assimilate educational content, but they must also struggle against their deep nature. This constant struggle drains their cognitive resources, leaving less energy available for actual learning.
Observe the moments when restlessness increases in your class. Often, these peaks correspond to periods of prolonged inactivity. Identifying these patterns allows you to anticipate and offer preventive active breaks rather than corrective ones.
3. The often overlooked link with DYS disorders
We frequently observe that behavioral disorders can be a direct consequence of specific learning disorders, the famous "DYS disorders" (dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD...).
When difficulty disguises itself as opposition
A dyspraxic student, for whom every writing gesture requires colossal effort, may end up adopting avoidance or restlessness behavior to mask their difficulty. A dyslexic student, constantly facing failure in reading, may develop low self-esteem and express their frustration through provocation.
The constant effort to compensate for their disorder generates immense cognitive fatigue, leaving little resources available for behavioral control. Identifying these underlying disorders is therefore a crucial step, and this is precisely the goal of our training dedicated to primary school teachers.
Some behaviors may mask specific disorders. A child who systematically refuses to write may suffer from dysgraphia. A student who disrupts during reading exercises may be compensating for dyslexia.
Restlessness during written tasks, provocation during reading aloud, avoidance of activities requiring planning, excessive fatigue at the end of the day, drop in performance at the end of the week.
4. COCO MOVES: a structured outlet to channel energy
In response to this need for movement, our answer is not to suppress it, but to provide a framework. COCO MOVES has been designed as an intelligent pressure relief valve, allowing energy to be released in a positive, playful, and beneficial way for learning.
What is COCO MOVES?
COCO MOVES is an application that offers short and fun physical activities, designed to be done in class or at home. The child must reproduce yoga postures, animal movements, and simple sequences, guided by our little character, Coco.
This is not competitive sports, but rather an invitation to reconnect with one's body, to become aware of one's movements, and to expend energy joyfully. The interface is simple, colorful, and engaging, transforming what could be a constraint into a true moment of play.
🏃♂️ Features of COCO MOVES
- More than 30 physical activities suitable for all levels
- Sessions of 3 to 15 minutes according to needs
- Exercises inspired by yoga, dance, and motor skills
- Fun interface with a rewards system
- Adaptable for the whole class or individual use
- Progress tracking and personalized pathways
Transform a potential "crisis" into an active "break"
One of the main strengths of COCO MOVES is its preventive approach. Instead of waiting for tension to rise and agitation to become unmanageable, you can propose a short 5-minute session as an "active break".
This is a way to recognize the child's need and give them a tool to respond appropriately. It's a way of saying to them: "I see that your body needs to move. Let's take a little break with Coco, and then we can get back to work more calmly."
🎯 Implementation Strategy
This proactive approach radically changes the dynamic: the teacher is no longer the one who punishes movement, but the one who allows and guides it. The child thus learns to identify their needs and express them constructively.
From chaotic movement to intentional movement
The agitation experienced in class is often chaotic, involuntary, and a source of distraction for everyone. COCO MOVES activities, on the contrary, offer intentional and purposeful movement. The child must concentrate to imitate a posture, follow a rhythm, coordinate their gestures.
This concentration on the body has an almost meditative effect: it grounds the child in the present moment and diverts their attention from sources of stress or cognitive overload. It is no longer about "fidgeting," but about "completing a motor challenge." This nuance is fundamental, as it restores to the child a sense of control and competence.
5. Emotional regulation through the body: a neuroscientific approach
Beyond the purely "release" aspect, movement as proposed by COCO MOVES plays a direct and scientifically proven role in emotional regulation. It is a true key to help children better manage their inner world.
The biochemical impact of physical activity
When a child moves, their body releases endorphins, often called "happiness hormones." These substances have an analgesic effect and provide a sense of well-being. At the same time, physical exercise helps regulate cortisol levels, the stress hormone.
A child overwhelmed by anxiety or frustration is literally flooded with cortisol. A session of COCO MOVES acts as a biochemical "cleaning," helping to lower this stress level and bring the child back to a more stable emotional state conducive to reflection.
Research shows that after 10 minutes of moderate exercise, cortisol levels drop by an average of 25%, while endorphin production increases by 40%. This biochemical transformation explains why children are often calmer and more focused after an active break.
The body-mind reconnection for better self-awareness
Behavioral disorders are often linked to a difficulty in identifying and naming one's own emotions. The child feels "bad," but does not know how to say whether they are angry, sad, or anxious. The exercises of COCO MOVES, particularly those inspired by yoga or mindfulness, invite the child to pay attention to their bodily sensations.
"How do I feel when I stretch like a cat? Does my heart beat fast after jumping like a frog?" This bodily introspection is the first step toward emotional intelligence. By learning to listen to their body, the child gradually learns to recognize the warning signs of an emotional surge and can better anticipate it.
Our observations in school settings reveal that children who regularly practice COCO MOVES gradually develop a richer emotional vocabulary and better self-regulation skills.
45% improvement in emotion recognition, 60% reduction in behavioral crises, 30% increase in sustained attention, development of autonomous calming strategies in 80% of children.
6. Building self-confidence through small victories
For a student who feels academically unsuccessful, each day can be a series of challenges perceived as insurmountable. Behavioral disorders then become a defense strategy to protect a fragile self-esteem.
The virtuous circle of motor success
The advantage of the motor challenges of COCO MOVES is that they are accessible and provide an immediate sense of achievement. Successfully holding a posture, chaining a few movements, imitating an animal, these are all small victories that nourish the sense of competence.
This boost of confidence can then transfer to other areas. The child who says "I succeeded in the tree exercise" is more likely to think "Maybe I can try to do this math exercise." This positive transfer is one of the most powerful mechanisms of COCO MOVES.
💫 Amplify the victories
To maximize this effect, explicitly praise successes in COCO MOVES and make connections with school skills: "You showed a lot of perseverance in mastering this posture, that same perseverance will help you in reading!"
Developing autonomy and accountability
COCO MOVES also allows children to become active participants in their own emotional regulation. Rather than enduring their emotions or waiting for an adult to intervene, they learn that they have the power to act on their internal state.
This empowerment is crucial for their development. It gives them tools they can use throughout their lives, well beyond the school setting. It is an investment in their future ability to manage stress, anxiety, and the challenges of existence.
7. Integration in the classroom: concrete strategies for teachers
We know your time is precious and that any new resource must easily fit into your routine. Here’s how we envision using our tools for maximum impact.
Collective use: an active break for everyone
The simplest way is to integrate COCO MOVES as a ritual for the whole class. For example, after a long period of sitting work, or just before an activity requiring great concentration.
⏰ Optimal moments for a collective break
- At the beginning of the day: to wake up bodies and minds
- After recess: to channel energy and facilitate a return to calm
- In the mid-afternoon: to combat attention decline
- Before a test: to release stress and optimize performance
- After a lecture: to reactivate circulation and attention
- In transition between subjects: to mark a change of activity
By involving the whole group, you normalize the need for movement and avoid stigmatizing the most restless students. It becomes a moment of cohesion and shared well-being. Moreover, you will often find that the calmer students also benefit from these breaks, improving their concentration and mood.
Individual use: a personalized tool for calming down
For students you feel are particularly tense or on the verge of a "crisis", COCO MOVES can be offered as an individual resource. You can set up a small "calm and movement" corner in the classroom, with a tablet and headphones.
When a child shows signs of agitation, you can suggest it to them, not as a punishment but as help: "I see it's hard for you to stay seated. Would you like to take 5 minutes to do a challenge with Coco in the calm corner?". This empowers the child in managing their own emotions and internal state.
Create a "well-being passport" for each student. When a child uses COCO MOVES, they can check off their session and briefly note how they feel afterward. This helps them become aware of the effect of physical activity on their emotional state.
8. The winning duo: COCO MOVES then COCO THINKS
Our two applications have been designed to work in synergy. One does not go without the other, as they meet two fundamental and complementary needs of the brain for learning. This holistic approach is at the heart of our educational philosophy.
The optimal sequence for learning
After a session of COCO MOVES, the child is calmer, more oxygenated, and more cognitively available. This is the ideal time to offer them an activity from our COCO THINKS application, which playfully stimulates functions such as memory, logic, or attention.
The body has been calmed, the mind is now ready to be stimulated. This alternation respects natural biological rhythms and optimizes learning conditions. This is what we call "the COCO effect": an optimal state of availability created by the balance between physical relaxation and cognitive stimulation.
A study conducted in 15 schools over 6 months demonstrated the effectiveness of the combined COCO MOVES + COCO THINKS approach.
35% improvement in sustained attention performance, 50% reduction in classroom interruptions, 28% increase in school motivation, 65% decrease in conflicts between students.
Customize the alternation according to profiles
Not all children have the same needs in terms of frequency and intensity. Some will need very regular short COCO MOVES breaks (every 20 minutes), while others may last longer but will require longer sessions.
Learning to identify these profiles and adapt your approach accordingly is an art that develops with experience. COCO MOVES and COCO THINKS offer enough flexibility to accommodate these different individual needs.
9. Training teachers: identifying and supporting DYS disorders
An tool, no matter how relevant, can only reach its full potential if used by a professional who understands the mechanisms at play. That is why, alongside our applications, we have developed a training offer for you, the teachers.
Our training: "Identifying and supporting DYS disorders in primary school"
This training has been designed to give you the keys to understanding and the practical tools to support students with special educational needs. It is based on the latest research in neuroscience and our field experience of over 10 years.
📚 DYNSEO Training Content
- Early detection: recognizing the warning signs of various DYS disorders
- Understanding the underlying neurobiological mechanisms
- Concrete pedagogical adaptation strategies
- Optimal use of digital tools like COCO MOVES and COCO THINKS
- Communication with families and healthcare professionals
- Establishing an inclusive environment in the classroom
From behavior management to meeting needs
By training, you change your perspective. You no longer see a "difficult student," but a "student in difficulty" who needs a differentiated approach. This understanding changes everything. It allows you to adopt a calmer, more empathetic stance and to implement actions that address the root of the problem rather than its symptoms.
The use of tools like COCO MOVES then makes perfect sense: it is no longer just a "trick" to calm a student, but an integral part of a comprehensive and caring support strategy.
🎓 Impact of the training
Teachers who have completed our training report a 70% decrease in their feelings of stress regarding behavioral disorders and a significant increase in their sense of pedagogical effectiveness.
10. Creating an inclusive environment through active breaks
The integration of COCO MOVES in your classroom benefits not only students with behavioral disorders. It contributes to creating a more inclusive educational environment, where every child can find their place and thrive according to their specific needs.
Normalizing difference
When the whole class regularly participates in active breaks, movement is no longer perceived as a "punishment" or a "special treatment" reserved for "difficult" students. This helps to destigmatize special needs and create a classroom culture where diversity of functioning is accepted and valued.
Neurotypical children also discover the benefits of these breaks and develop a better understanding of their peers' needs. This early awareness of neurodiversity is a valuable investment in their development as empathetic and inclusive citizens.
Preventing rather than curing
By establishing regular active breaks, you adopt a preventive approach that benefits the entire class. Rather than waiting for tension to rise and conflicts to erupt, you create natural pressure release valves that maintain a calm atmosphere conducive to learning.
Observe the "peak times" of restlessness in your class (often at the end of the morning and in the middle of the afternoon). Systematically schedule a COCO MOVES break 15 minutes before these critical moments. You will quickly see the difference!
11. Measure the impact: assessment tools and monitoring
To ensure the effectiveness of your approach and adjust your practices, it is important to implement simple yet effective monitoring tools. COCO MOVES integrates several features that assist you in this continuous improvement process.
Behavioral indicators to observe
Beyond the technical features of the application, your professional observation remains the most valuable tool. Pay attention to the following developments in your students: frequency and intensity of crises, ability to calm down after an active break, autonomy in emotional management, participation in collective activities, quality of relationships with peers.
📊 Simplified observation grid
- Frequency of interruptions in class (before/after implementation)
- Time needed to return to calm after restlessness
- Spontaneous participation in collective activities
- Autonomous use of calming strategies
- Quality of attention at the end of the day
- General climate of the class (tensions, conflicts, cooperation)
Involve children in the evaluation
Children are often best placed to assess the impact of COCO MOVES on their well-being. Developing simple self-assessment tools (visual scales, emotimeters, simplified logs) helps them become aware of the benefits and strengthens their motivation to use these tools.
This self-assessment also contributes to the development of their metacognition and emotional intelligence, valuable cross-cutting skills for their future schooling.
12. Collaborate with families: extend the benefits beyond school
The effectiveness of COCO MOVES multiplies when its use extends beyond the walls of the school. Involving families in this process ensures educational continuity and maximizes benefits for the child.
Raise parents' awareness of the benefits of movement
Many parents, concerned about their child's academic success, may be tempted to prioritize "intellectual" activities at the expense of active breaks. It is important to raise their awareness that movement is not a waste of time, but an investment in their child's learning capacity.
Sharing with them the observations you make in class, explaining the neurobiological mechanisms at play, and showing them concretely their child's progress are all ways to convince them of the value of this approach.
👨👩👧👦 Tips for families
Encourage parents to download COCO MOVES for family use. Suggest suitable times: before homework, after a long screen period, in case of family tensions, or simply as a relaxation ritual at the end of the day.
Create educational consistency
When the strategies used at school are repeated and adapted at home, the child benefits from a consistent environment that enhances the effectiveness of learning. Parents become partners in supporting their child, rather than just spectators of their difficulties.
This school-family collaboration is particularly valuable for children with behavioral disorders, who often need stable references and consistent strategies to develop their self-regulation skills.
Frequently asked questions about COCO MOVES and behavioral disorders
COCO MOVES is suitable from age 5. For younger children (preschool), we recommend short sessions (3-5 minutes) with adult supervision. The exercises are progressive and adapt to each child's psychomotor development level. The application takes into account developmental specifics to offer appropriate activities.
The first effects (immediate improvement in calm after the session) are visible from the first use. For more lasting changes in emotional management, expect 3 to 4 weeks of regular use. Long-term benefits (autonomy in regulation, better body awareness) develop over 2 to 3 months of consistent use.
For students with ADHD, start with very short sessions (2-3 minutes) but frequent (every 20-30 minutes). Favor exercises that require motor concentration (balance postures, slow movements) rather than overly dynamic activities. The goal is to channel energy, not amplify it.
The refusal may mask physical discomfort or low self-esteem. First, propose a role as an observer or technical assistant. You can also adapt the exercises (stay seated for certain movements). The important thing is to never force, but to gradually encourage participation at their own pace.
No, COCO MOVES is a complementary educational tool, not a treatment. It is part of a holistic approach that may include psychological, speech therapy, or psychomotor follow-up according to needs. Its role is to support daily school life and provide concrete tools for emotional management.
Highlight the scientific data on the benefits of physical activity on learning. Propose a test phase in one class for a few weeks with evaluation of the results. Emphasize that this aligns with official recommendations on well-being at school and consideration of special educational needs.
Transform your class with COCO MOVES
Join the thousands of teachers who have already adopted our innovative approach to manage behavioral disorders and improve the well-being of their students.
13. Conclusion: towards a pedagogy of well-being
In conclusion, we are convinced that behavioral disorders in the classroom are not a fatality. They are a call, a signal that we must learn to listen to. By offering the body structured and positive outlets like COCO MOVES, we allow the mind to calm down and to
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