Ever watch a toddler just... explode with energy? One second they’re sitting there, staring at a piece of toast, and the next they are launched into the air. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. But honestly, when kids start to hop hop like a bunny do, they aren’t just being hyperactive. They are engaging in one of the most fundamental developmental milestones in human growth.
Movement is a language for kids.
Before they can explain that they’re frustrated or bored, they jump. We see this phrase—hop hop like a bunny do—popping up in nursery rhymes, YouTube sensations like CoComelon, and early childhood PE classes across the country. It’s catchy. It’s simple. But beneath the surface of these "bunny hops" lies a complex web of vestibular processing, proprioceptive input, and pure, unadulterated joy.
The Science Behind the Hop
Most people think jumping is just about leg strength. It’s not. To hop hop like a bunny do, a child’s brain has to coordinate a massive amount of data.
Think about it.
You have to bend your knees (eccentric loading), explode upward (concentric power), and then—this is the hard part—not fall over when you land. This requires the vestibular system, located in the inner ear, to tell the brain exactly where the body is in space. If that system is a little laggy, the hop turns into a flop. According to pediatric physical therapists, the ability to jump with both feet leaving the ground simultaneously usually kicks in around 24 to 30 months. If a kid is doing it earlier, they’re basically a tiny athlete.
It’s also about "heavy work." In occupational therapy, jumping is considered a proprioceptive activity. It provides deep pressure to the joints and muscles. This is why you’ll see a kid who is feeling overwhelmed suddenly start to hop hop like a bunny do across the living room. They aren't trying to annoy you. They are literally grounding themselves. They are using their own body weight to calm their nervous system down.
Why the Phrase Stuck
Language is weird. We don't say "Jump like a rabbit." We say hop hop like a bunny do. Why?
Rhythm.
The trochaic meter of the phrase mimics the actual movement. It’s a call-and-response mechanism used by teachers from Los Angeles to London. When a teacher says "hop hop," the brain anticipates the physical exertion. It’s a "ready-set-go" for the motor cortex.
Also, bunnies are approachable. You wouldn't tell a three-year-old to "pounce like a mountain lion" unless you wanted someone to get bitten. Bunnies represent soft, controlled, yet high-energy movement. It’s the perfect metaphor for early childhood fitness.
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Digital Influence and the CoComelon Effect
Let’s be real for a second. A huge reason this specific phrasing is stuck in our collective heads is the "Hoppin’ Bunny Song" and similar viral hits.
Videos featuring characters that hop hop like a bunny do have garnered billions—yes, billions—of views. For parents, these songs are a double-edged sword. On one hand, the melody is an earworm that will haunt your dreams. On the other, it’s an incredible tool for "directed play."
- Directed Play: The song tells the kid what to do.
- Physical Burnout: It gets them moving so they might actually nap later.
- Social Modeling: Seeing a 3D animated character jump encourages the child to mimic the gross motor skill.
Research from the Journal of Children and Media suggests that when children engage with "prosocial" and "active" digital content, they are more likely to engage in physical play afterward compared to passive viewing. So, if they’re watching a bunny hop, they’re probably going to hop too.
The Anatomy of a Perfect Bunny Hop
If you’re watching a child try to hop hop like a bunny do, you’ll notice a progression. It doesn't happen all at once.
First, there’s the "one-foot lead." This is where they think they’re jumping, but they’re really just doing a glorified gallop. One foot leaves the ground, the other follows, but they never truly fly.
Then comes the "stiff jump." This is terrifying to watch. The child jumps and lands with completely straight legs. You can almost hear their little bones rattle.
Finally, they get the "Bunny Flow."
- The Load: Hips back, arms swinging behind the torso.
- The Launch: Arms swing forward to create momentum.
- The Flight: Both feet clear the carpet.
- The Landing: Knees bend to absorb the shock.
Experts like Dr. Jane Williams from ToddlerKind often emphasize that these repetitions are building bone density. Every time a child lands a hop, they are sending signals to their bones to get stronger. It’s weight-bearing exercise in its purest form.
Beyond the Living Room: Hop Hop Like a Bunny Do in Schools
It’s not just for toddlers. Preschools and Kindergarten classrooms use the "bunny hop" as a transition tool.
"Okay everyone, let’s hop hop like a bunny do all the way to the snack table!"
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This isn't just a cute way to move kids. It’s a management strategy. Jumping requires focus. It’s hard to shove your friend or wander off-task when you are focusing on the rhythmic coordination of hopping. It turns a boring walk down a hallway into a sensory-rich experience.
Moreover, it builds "midline crossing" capabilities. While a standard hop is vertical, many "bunny" variations involve moving side to side. Crossing the midline of the body is a crucial precursor to learning how to read and write, as it encourages the left and right hemispheres of the brain to talk to each other.
Common Misconceptions About Early Jumping
People get worried. I see it on parenting forums all the time.
"My 2-year-old won't hop hop like a bunny do. Is there something wrong?"
Honestly? Probably not.
Development isn't a race, even if it feels like one when you're at the park. Some kids are "movers," and some are "thinkers." A child who is focused on fine motor skills—like picking up tiny crumbs or drawing—might take a few extra months to master the double-foot hop.
However, if a child is nearly three and still can’t jump off the ground at all, or if they seem consistently off-balance, it’s worth a chat with a pediatrician. Sometimes it’s a simple strength issue, or maybe they just need a bit more practice on soft surfaces like grass or mats.
Creating a "Bunny-Friendly" Environment
If you want to encourage a kid to get active, you can't just tell them to jump. You have to make it a game.
Use "Lily Pads." Put some pillows or colorful pieces of paper on the floor. Tell them they have to hop hop like a bunny do from one to the next to avoid the "lava" (the carpet).
Change the tempo. Play music that starts slow and gets faster. Can they hop in slow motion? Can they hop like a "fast bunny" escaping a fox?
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Add ears. Seriously. Put a headband on them or just show them how to make ears with their hands. The imaginative play element distracts them from the fact that they are actually doing a high-intensity interval workout.
The Mental Health Component
We talk a lot about the physical, but what about the vibes?
Jumping releases endorphins. It’s nearly impossible to hop hop like a bunny do and stay in a bad mood. For a child who is having a "meltdown" (we’ve all been there), sometimes changing the physical state is the only way to change the emotional state.
It’s called "state shifting."
By moving the body vigorously, the brain gets a hit of dopamine and serotonin. It breaks the loop of frustration.
Actionable Steps for Parents and Teachers
Don't just watch the video. Get on the floor.
If you want a child to develop these skills, you have to model them. Show them how you swing your arms. Show them how you land softly "like a ninja bunny."
- Check the Footwear: Hopping is best done barefoot or in grippy socks to allow the muscles in the feet to engage fully.
- Surface Matters: Hardwood floors are unforgiving. Start on a yoga mat or a rug.
- Use Cues: Use the phrase hop hop like a bunny do as a rhythmic guide. Clap your hands to the beat.
- Incorporate Levels: Have them hop over a small object, like a pool noodle or a rolled-up towel, to encourage height.
- Monitor Fatigue: Jumping is exhausting. If their form starts to get sloppy (landing with flat feet), it's time to stop.
The next time you hear that familiar tune or see a group of kids bopping around, remember that it’s more than just a silly game. It’s a vital part of growing up. It’s coordination, it’s sensory regulation, and it’s a foundational building block for a healthy, active life.
So go ahead. Get moving. Hop hop like a bunny do and see how much better you feel. It works for the kids, and honestly, it’ll probably work for you too.