| Many of us have often sat back, and watched our | | | | We may even need to hire a good family movie with |
| children go about their play or daily activities, and | | | | a slower paced story in mind, but also keeping our child |
| wondered, is my child normal? The same as other | | | | interested. |
| children while our child flies past yelling in some other | | | | Our children will grow to enjoy the quieter times the |
| language. | | | | older they get. |
| There is a definite difference between a "Hyper" child | | | | SOLVING THE PROBLEM: |
| and a "Hyperactive" child, but don't forget, neither are | | | | Practice The Slow Down: |
| untreatable. | | | | We need to take our children and train them to slow |
| The label of "Hyperactive" is a very broad spectrum, | | | | down, see who can walk from he front door to the |
| considering our children are often full of energy and | | | | kitchen, get a glass of water and walk to the lounge |
| busy little people. | | | | without spilling any. |
| A Hyperactive child is generally on the go all day, has | | | | There are many ways to train slowing them down. |
| trouble waiting his turn, runs everywhere instead of | | | | EXERCISE: |
| walking, constantly fidgets with anything, will not sit still, | | | | High-energy children need exercise just as others do. |
| answers you before you finish talking, very impatient | | | | Allow them to fly around run and play to their hearts |
| and interrupts all the time. | | | | content, but don't forget to keep to a set time |
| To diagnose a child as Hyperactive is a very difficult | | | | everyday to slow down, keep them busy, not just |
| thing to do as a parent. | | | | physically but mentally as well. |
| If you notice 4 or 5 of the above in your child for at | | | | For Example: |
| least 6 months on a daily basis then it may be time to | | | | After school, let your child buzz around doing kids stuff, |
| get the advice of a professional trained in Hyperactive | | | | then set a certain time for them to come inside, offer |
| diagnoses. | | | | a light snack letting them its now time for them to |
| The doctor can help you and your child with ways to | | | | settle, suggest watching some T V, or reading a book, |
| manage both the "Hyper" and "Hyperactive" child. | | | | or maybe sit and chat while you prepare the family |
| PREVENTING THE RUSH HOUR: | | | | meal. |
| Quiet Play: | | | | Setting regular routine helps in many ways, and |
| If your child runs everywhere and yells when talking will | | | | although our children need the freedom to run and play |
| do, we need to present slower, more evenly paced | | | | at there own pace, they also need a slowing down |
| activities to them like a game, or reading a book | | | | period in their daily routine. |
| together, maybe a puzzle or grab the coloring book | | | | TEACHING RELAXATION: |
| and pencils. | | | | Once our children learn to relax physically, their minds |
| We need to teach them that going slower help us to | | | | slow down gradually. |
| concentrate and get things done properly which takes | | | | Try to keep them relaxed; avoid aggression and hasty |
| away pressure and lessens stress and tension, going | | | | topics, using words like "right now, hurry up, quickly" and |
| slower can be very refreshing and rewarding. | | | | so on, may cause an aggressive reaction. |
| Keep An Eye On Our Own Pace | | | | Rubbing their back may help to calm any anxious |
| With our children watching us in our busy lives and | | | | mood from erupting, as will simple breathing techniques |
| rushing everywhere, they then prepare their minds to | | | | or a light yoga class can also be quite helpful. |
| try and keep up and what we expect of them. | | | | NO! TO PUNISHMENT... |
| We need to take a look at our lifestyle and try not to | | | | When your "Hyper" child is running around the house, |
| teach our children to be as busy as we are at their | | | | like a bull in a china shop, and the unfortunate happens, |
| age, we need to find time to sit and relax with our | | | | the family air loom is in pieces on the floor, as you will |
| children to show them that everyone has a time to | | | | be thinking of the punishment of the year, you need to |
| busy and on the go when required but everyone also | | | | approach this incident without punishment. |
| has a time to slower and do some reading or listen to | | | | Calmly tell your child you are not very happy he chose |
| some soft music. | | | | to run instead of walk in the house, and now you want |
| Our children soon get the hang of it and will come and | | | | him to practice walking in the house for the next 10 |
| sit with us for a book to be read to them, or a cuddle | | | | minutes, so he understands being inside we walk not |
| while talking over the day's events. | | | | run. |
| ELECTRIC ENTERTAINMENT: | | | | Now for he clean up, something your child needs to |
| When our children get to watch Television they are | | | | help with being involved in the clean up, often helps the |
| usually sitting quietly and slowing down, but are they | | | | child learn respect for property and be responsible for |
| really? | | | | his own actions. |
| Well, that all depends on the type of programs they | | | | MEDICATION ALONE WON'T HELP: |
| are watching. | | | | Medication alone is not the answer, although |
| When our children are watching things like "Die Hard" | | | | medication may be necessary in most cases, we |
| or some fast paced, action packed, mind twister, the | | | | need to be more actively involved in slowing our |
| body remains resting but the mind works as though | | | | children down naturally, may be simply a change of |
| they are still out running. | | | | diet, or a sports activity. |