While some kids are content coloring or building Lego blocks others can’t seem to sit still for two minutes. They’re fidgeting, jumping, bouncing, and jumping on couches, even literally climbing walls. Someone might jump to conclude that such hyperactive children have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, only a qualified child psychologist can confirm any ADHD disorder after a series of interviews conducted by the child’s teacher’s parents and followed by a detailed assessment.
Not every busy, wiggly child has ADHD. Sometimes, other causes underlie a child’s high activity level.
Stress
Some children are susceptible to any change. Even a positive change, for example, a new baby coming or moving houses, changing friends, or traveling over the summer. This can create a lot of stress for a child. Death of a loved one, separation or divorce, moving countries are all significant stressors that can have a massive impact on your child.
Remember that a child can pick up on the parents’ mood. So if you as a parent experienced financial or emotional hardships, there’s is a chance that your child’s mood has been affected too
Make sure you consistently communicate with your child and pause to check in on their needs and concerns
Emotional or Mental Health Problems
A scary event can cause traumatic emotional stress to some kids; an accident or even something they’ve watched on TV might create anxiety. It’s best to seek professional help from a therapist or pediatrician.
Lack of Sleep
While adults tend to sit back and relax when tired, children often become hyperactive. Being overly stimulated or tired can disrupt a child’s sleep schedule. When children don’t get enough sleep, their tiny bodies send all kinds of signals. Lack of sleep causes irritability, forgetfulness, difficulties with learning, and low motivation. Over time, it can contribute to anxiety and depression. Sleep time guidelines depend on a child’s age
Play & Activity Time
Children aren’t supposed to sit and remain calm for hours. They are full of energy and good activity is a sign of good health and wellbeing.
Unfortunately, some hyperactive children lose recess time for misbehaving at school. School recess should not be a privilege but a right for every child, especially for these kids. Not having an opportunity to run around and play makes hyperactivity worse.
You can help your child by including exercise in their daily routine.
A few suggestions below:
The Playground:
Running around the playground is an excellent opportunity to channel your child’s energy through sliding, bouncing, swinging, and jumping. However, you can make it even more challenging by setting up obstacle courses and encouraging other children to join in.
You can even turn a playdate into an obstacle course challenge or even include it in a cardio workout for the whole family. You may need some hoops loops. cones, stepping stones, and bean bags to get started
Furthermore, you can even go old school by playing tag with your child, tag of war, or hopscotch.
Check out more ways to enjoy your own backyard with your kids.
Swimming:
A fantastic way to help hyperactive kids release all that built-up energy? Swimming. It helps reduce the lack of focus and impulsivity, common in hyperactive children. It’s a natural way to soothe and calm them down.
Kids with ADHD enjoy their time in the water. I water, they are not told what to do; it improves their breathing and their ability to let out be free without being instructed for most of the time, the ability to be successful, and more.
Water Play
Splashing friends or mommy on hot days with a water hose or running through sprinklers is a great source of fun.
Fights with water balloons and guns will satisfy a hyperactive or impulsive child’s need for excitement. Click here for more inspiration
Trampolines
This would probably be one of the best purchases you can ever make. If you have a kid craving movement, a trampoline will help a lot!
Some trampolines are small enough for two people to jump but low to the ground, so there is less risk of injury than a large backyard trampoline. Trampolines come in different sizes and shapes, so make sure you choose one you are most comfortable using
