CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS TO HYPERACTIVITY IN CHILDREN

Hyperactivity in children is characterized by reckless behaviour and too much activity instability and inattentiveness in kids, often bouncing from activity to activity with seemingly limitless energy and ease.

Signs of hyperactivity in children can be  categorized into  the following;

(A) Inattention: Hyperactive children usually show signs of short attention span for age (difficulty sustaining attention), they find it difficulty listening to others, they have difficulty attending to details, they can be easily distracted, they tend to show signs of forgetfulness, they can’t focus, they have poor organizational skills for age and poor study skills for age.

(B) Impulsiveness: They Often interrupts others, find it  difficulty waiting for their turn in school and/or social games, they have the tendency to blurt out answers instead of waiting to be called upon, they take frequent risks, and often without thinking of the result before acting.

 (C) Hyperactivity. They often have problem of sitting still on their seats, they are prone to never get tired, they have difficulty in listening to or following directions. They run and climb at times with no apparent goal except motion, they talk too much or interrupt other people’s conversations, they fail to follow instructions or do a step-by-step routine, they are overenthusiastic and bouncing with energy, they can easily become worried, frustrated, angry and sad.

Hyperactivity in children results in poor academic performance, lack of socialization and in severe cases even complete withdrawal from participating in group activities, which in turn can lead to depression, frustration, and poor self-esteem

Having a hyperactive child is not ‘bad,’ It’s just that they may just need little more attention and patience to channel their energy and thought-process.

Hyperactivity is related to the brain. Hence, the best way to handle hyperactive kids is to make the child relax and take things one at a time.

Some of the ways to manage or help hyperactivity in children in order for them to more  pay attention, focus better, and be less hyper,  includes;

1)  CHANNEL THEIR ENERGY TO POSITIVE USE

Find means to vent their energy and calm their minds. Invest in classes that help them use up their energy, physical activity and soothe the mind.  Boxes help hyperactive children to engage in meaningful and focus on play-base activities. So, Parents are advised to get activity box for their children. This will help boost their memory skills and concentration- not to forget skill development as well.  There are available theme-based activity boxes for children between 2 to 16 years of age.

2)  GIVE THE CHILD ATTENTION

Parents or guardian will have to give the child complete attention, talk to the child in a simple manner and lend an ear to the child’s concerns, interests, and apprehensions. It is also important and helpful to make a “TO DO LIST” for the child.  The instructions should be broken down in simple terms; the list will guide the child’s daily routine and activities.

3)  BEHAVIOUR THERAPY

Reward the child for good manners, listening to you, sticking to a routine, encourage him/her to establish order, and let him/her know what is expected of him/her. The best way to deal with a hyperactive kid is to engage his mind and body and channelize their energy.

4)  PLAY GAMES

Playing indoor and outdoor games with children may help a lot too. Thinking and educative games like, chess, scrabble, matching pairs, ludo, chinese checkers and UNO etc. are great exercises for the brain. If the child is feeling a bit adventurous, then take him/her outdoors to play games like table tennis, badminton, soccer, and cricket.

5)  HELP THEM DEAL WITH THEIR EMOTIONS

Children with hyperactivity find it difficult to handle anger, sadness, and worry.  So, it is the responsibility of the parents or guardian to help them to deal with their feelings and tell them what is good and what is bad

These are engaging options for hyperactive kids as they make them sit in one place and concentrate, exercising their brains and at the same time learning.

6)  NATURE TRAILS TO SOOTHE THE BODY

Nature has its own ways to soothe a hyperactive child and kids definitely love to be in natural surroundings.  Taking them out to green surroundings also help them relax. All the parents or guardian need to do is  just to be patient, be determined to calm him/her, and put his/her high energy levels to good use. Trekking, hiking, rock-climbing, rowing, etc. are great options for your bundle of high-energy.

7)   KARATE/MARTIAL ARTS TO CHANNELISE ENERGY

‘Karate’ means empty-handed. When kids learn karate, they do different postures that help in channelising their energy. It also helps them to concentrate and calm their minds. Building confidence, learning to focus, and developing enhanced coordination are just a few of the benefits of martial arts for hyperactive kids.

8)  ENGAGE THEM IN OUTDOOR SPORTS

Outdoor sports like football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, and badminton are great games for hyperactive kids as there is no standing around time in these games.

Your children will be constantly moving and using large muscle groups, keeping them focused and energy-drained. They also get to learn about team spirit, sportsmanship, and competition.

However, if you can’t put them for any outdoor sports, make them take up running, which offers constant movement, health benefits, and a sense of accomplishment.

9)  MUSIC TO CALM THE MIND

Music is a great way to unwind . Music exercises both sides of the brain at the same time, thus calming the brain, which in turn makes your kids multi-task and store information better. When they are part of a band, or sing/play chorus, they learn also to be a team player.

10)              SWIMMING FOR SELF-DISCIPLINE

Another effective activity is swimming. Olympic gold-medalist Michael Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) at the age of 9. He took up swimming to master a sport and vent his energy.

Swimming is a great exercise for hyperactive kids as it offers constant movement, self-discipline, and calorie-burn.

11)              THEATRE FOR CREATIVE ENGAGEMENT

Drama or theatre is a creative activity to engage the hyperactive kids. It needs practice, co-ordination, sharp memory, stage confidence, and people skills. It also helps the kids to take personal challenges ,and hone their public-speaking skills.

12)              TAKE HIM/HER FOR A WALK

Walking rejuvenates both mind and body and also enhances their focus. This would not only loosen his/her mind but also help him enjoy the scenery as he/she walks.

13)                      CHANGE DIET 

Give the kids fresh home cooked meals that are free of preservatives and artificial flavors. Eating clean goes a long way towards improving mood, lifestyle, and overall physical and mental wellbeing.

 

14)              NEVER NEGLECT THE CHILD

Don’t leave your kids all alone every day. Be involved with their schoolwork, daily activities and give them some of your attention which they so crave. Hyperactivity stems from receiving a lack of attention. By showing appreciation in moments when you catch them doing something good or productive, they calm down and are reassured of their efforts

15)                       SET UP A DAILY ROUTINE FOR THE CHILD

Setting up a routine for your child is really important and this will help them be disciplined and they would get accustomed to this behavior. This will help reduce anxiety and restlessness.

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