Children are blessed with abundant energy, they are always seen running around, moving from activity to activity without getting tired, they also tend to have shorter attention spans and have trouble sitting still for a long time. All these traits are fine occasionally but when your child shows all of these consistently then you know that he or she is a little more hyperactive than other kids.
Dealing with children is exhausting but with hyperactive children it can be really tough. They tend to fidget a lot, they do not listen well, may forget details, and have problems in learning and face difficulty in socializing with other kids. When your child really doesn’t listen and has to move around all the time, very few parents can be calm and composed. But getting angry, punishing them will do you and your child no good.
Here are some of the ways that will help you deal with a child who never tires:
Be Consistent: When your child is moving from one activity to another, it is essential that you try to find some sense and stability in their chaos. Follow routines and fixed rules that will at least make the chores manageable. For example: when your child gets up, he has to make his bed himself and has to eat his or her breakfast and milk being seated at the same place. Your child might make a fuss at the start but will adapt to the routine.
Encourage: Hyperactive children are known to be quicker at grasping things, using their imagination, thinking out of the box, having boundless energy and being enthusiastic about everything. Tell them about their positives. Encourage them to take up sports which can direct their extra energy in the right manner.
Let them play: Keeping your hyperactive child at one place is really not a good idea. They cannot be restricted to one activity or to sitting at one place for long. Expecting them to do so is not fair. When they are given enough time to play, their ample energy is released and then they will be less restless and would be able to concentrate better.
In the Classroom: You can tell your child’s teacher about the kid’s hyperactive tendency so that she does not punish him for behavior that is a part of his personality, or inherent. Also tell the teachers that allowing them to stand and study and directing their energy by making them do the errands like fetching the duster, chalk will make them more manageable.
Divide their project into small tasks: When you are dealing with a child that is hyperactive, you have to think of ways to grab their attention for long by changing activities from time to time, involving them while teaching them and making use of their enthusiasm. When you have to sit with them for homework, you can solve math sums for 10 minutes, ask them English meanings for some time and spend the time after studies, drawing.
Correct them gently: Hyperactive kids tend to rush through things without paying proper attention to details and their work tends to look shabby. Go through their homework together, point their mistakes gently. Make them identify some common mistakes they make and ask them to go through their work once again before submission.
With Other kids: Hyperactive kids tend to get excited while playing and may dominate other kids; they also tend to push and hit others. You need to set rules about behavior early on. Tell them hitting and pushing are not ok, so is dominating.
Be Flexible: Listening is a key skill that they have to posses in order to learn and to make friends. Tell them a story and ask questions about it later, this way they will pay attention. When sitting at one place is a challenge, you can give them a squeeze ball in their hands which they can squeeze and release their energy. Give them space to work and let them express themselves.
Keep them away from sugar: Children tend to eat lots of sweetened foods and drinks. This makes them more hyper because of the sudden rush of energy that these foods provide. So monitor the amount of sugar that your kid is eating and control the amount if required.
Accept them: Every kid is special and different. Each of them is filled with different potentials and abilities. While your child may not be the quietest in the class or the topper, but he could be good at creative thinking, imagination and could be the fastest runner. Never compare your child with other children and make him feel bad.
These tips are sure to help you to deal with your over active child but if your child shows more extreme type of behavior then you should consult the doctor as he may be suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which will require professional help to manage.
