The summer vacations are here. With the schools being closed at this time of the year, there is often ample for a child to do beyond studies. And what if your child belongs to the increasing number of children labelled as active, what then? Will the days in these vacations or even otherwise be a headache for you trying to manage your active child? Or could it be a smooth journey wherein you and your child explore the world together. Read on to find out how you can effectively and creatively use your child's extra energy to bring out some productive results.
First of all, it's important to understand the difference between the terms hyperactive and active. I have many parents who come to me and say stuff like, "my child is always full of energy"; " I don't know what to do with him, he is always running around."; " he never gets tired", etc. Hyperactivity is a pathological condition, which is characterised by extreme over activity, restlessness, an inability to focus and sustain attention on any task, among other key features. Being active on the other hand, is a favoured position to be in as it suggests that the active person can perform many activities and still not get tired easily. Being active is an asset rather than a liability.
Whether you call you child hyperactive, or over active or simply active, (though these terms are not interchangeable) the following are a few things that you can do with your child which will help them spend that extra bit of energy productively.
Sensory Integration activities
These can be wonderful for helping active kids to get their energy out, focus and direct their attention. These activities work in several ways. First, they meet children's needs for sensory input. Some children have especially high needs for touch, for instance, and they will seek out sensory sensations if their needs aren't met. Second, they give the body something to focus nervous energy on so the mind can concentrate. Just as it may be easier to pay attention in a meeting if you're doodling, kids have an easier time focusing if they have fidgets for their fingers or weights on their bodies. Third, these activities help neurologically. Sensory Integration activities help systems of the body such as the vestibular system (related to balance and sense of place) and different parts of the brain work together. Some activities, such as bouncing, actually help with proprioception (the sense of movement and body awareness) and organising the brain.
Outdoor Activities
Overactive children need an outlet for all their energy. Going outside is an ideal way to combine fun with a release for your child's need to move around. Head to the park and let your child climb on the play structures, play football or Frisbee together, or simply go for a walk. Let your child ride his bike up and down your street, with your supervision. Blow bubbles, play hopscotch, or jump on a mini trampoline. When your child is done, he'll probably be worn out and more likely to sit still for a while.
Play in the Water
Water play is an ideal way to wear an overactive child out so he'll rest or sit long enough for you to make dinner or pay the bills. Fill the bathtub and toss in some water toys and let your child pour, dump and splash around. In the summer, fill a wading pool for young kids to play in. Take older kids to the local swimming pool and play games for a couple of hours. Dive for toys or swim laps. Your child gets the chance to expend some energy while having a good time . Always supervise kids closely while they play in the water to prevent drowning.
Read or Color
Reading and coloring takes concentration, which makes both a good way to calm an overactive child while also teaching him to focus and sit still. Reading, like I mentioned in my previous articles,has oodles of benefit. It will force your child to focus on the matter at hand and thus, stay calm while they are at it. Look for simple stories to keep your child engaged. As your child gets older, let him read books to himself for a short time each day. Coloring with crayons or markers offers similar benefits and is good for young children who have trouble sitting still.
Teach deep breathing/yoga/tai chi/meditation
While many of the strategies are things a parent can do to help their child, it is also important to teach your child methods for self-regulation. Deep breathing exercises, yoga, tai chi or meditation all help a child learn to slow down their thoughts and their bodies. Work with a professional if you aren’t sure how to teach your child these different methods of relaxation.
Use music
Soothing music, such as classical music, can help some children calm down. Experiment with different types of music to find out what works for your child. Use music in the background for times when activity levels should be low, such as homework time, dinner time or before bedtime. Several soothing music audios are available freely online, so find the one best for your needs.
Provide fidget alternatives
This one is a type of sensory integration activity. For children who seem eternally restless or must fidget whenever they are trying to sit still, provide fidgeting alternatives to help them release energy and keep moving without disturbing others. Your child might sit still for longer periods of time if he has a stress ball or other object in his hand he can manipulate.
Dance, acting or music classes
Depending on where your child’s interests lie, learning a musical instrument, taking drama classes or learning coordination through dancing can all be excellent afterschool activities.
Research has shown that playing a musical instrument requires both sides of the brain to work at the same time, which helps train the brain to multi-task, while dancing allows kids to get their energy out while still remaining in control of their movements. Acting, while less physical than dance or sport, helps a child to practice their memorisation skills and get in touch with their creative side. Being allowed to act out different characters and scenes helps them to channel their energy and emotions into something productive.
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts projects are great for teaching children to act on their ideas and turn creative concepts into something concrete. Whether they enjoy painting, model building, woodworking or sewing, taking an idea and seeing it through to completion can be extremely motivating for any child but especially for a child who is active. This works well for hyperactive children as well. It shows them that they are capable of using all their energy as a driving force for something creative and productive.
Camping and outdoor activities
There is nothing like fresh air, nature and physical activity to help your hyperactive child to use their energy for something positive. Taking your child camping is a great opportunity to teach them about nature and help them develop some practical skills. If you don’t have the time to personally take your child on nature walks or go hiking and camping as often as you’d like, scouting camps are a great way to ensure that your child doesn’t miss out on those great experiences. Scouting also helps kids to learn team work and improved social skills.
Helping around the home
If your child comes home from school practically bouncing off the walls with energy, don’t sit them down in front of the TV or allow them to play video games. Instead, ask them if they’d like to help you get dinner ready or do a few simple chores like dusting or vacuuming. Kids often enjoy this kind of quality time with a parent, and it also gives them a sense of responsibility and helps them take pride in their work.
Having a kid full of oodles of energy to expend sit idle is just not going to work out. What's better is providing the child with a platform to release all the energy productively and at the same time preserve it using other mediums like meditation. As a parent you can be the catalyst behind the avenue that your child chooses.
(Article first published in Evescape: May - June, 2014).
