Hyperactivity is something all parents have seen in their children at one time or another. Whether your child has been formally diagnosed with a hyperactivity disorder, such as ADHD, or is just hopped up on too much sugar, the results are similar. Your hyperactive child simply cannot calm down and is in constant motion. Creating a calming home environment, letting your child burn off some energy in a safe way and putting his thoughts on paper can be short-term fixes for hyperactive children. Long-term solutions can include eliminating certain foods from your child's diet and creating a predictable routine without much room for distraction.
Step 1
Take your hyperactive child outside to work out some of his excess energy. Let him ride his bike, jump rope or go for a walk with you. Online resource ADHDupdates reports that some children who have hyperactivity disorders may find the repetitive noises associated with these activities comforting, allowing them to focus and calm themselves down.
Step 2
Keep a collection of hands-on toys and games handy in case your restless child needs something new as a focus for her attention. Puzzles, toys that require manipulation, art kits and other activities that call for active participation may help your hyperactive child calm her mind and body for a short period of time. Many children with hyperactivity become distracted and bored easily, and she might just need something new to do in order to settle down.
Step 3
Encourage your older child to write down his thoughts in a journal, if he can manage to complete the activity. Houston-based ADD Health and Wellness Centers explains that a child with ADHD will often leave a task incomplete, due to restlessness, in order to calm his racing mind. In a journal, he may write about what he is feeling or what he did at school that day. The topic of his journal does not matter as much as allowing him the space and freedom to calm down through an introspective activity.
Step 4
Provide your child--and your entire family--with a calming environment that is conducive to unwinding. Warm tones on the walls, classical music and a home without too much visual distraction (that is, clutter) can be beneficial to hyperactive children, reports ADHDupdates.
Step 5
Curb hyperactivity through the sensation of touch. Run your child a warm bath, allowing the warmth (and bubbles if she wants) to calm her overactive muscles. Give your child a back rub, stroke her hair or simply offer a hug. The physical contact can be calming and reassuring.
Step 6
Fall into a predictable routine in regard to getting ready for school, doing homework in the afternoons and preparing for bedtime. ADD Health and Wellness Centers states that some children with attention deficient or hyperactivity disorders have difficulty with staying on task and following directions. Keeping your family's schedule the same every day may make it easier for your child to focus and follow directions when he is feeling restless and out of control.
Step 7
Consult your child's pediatrician about the possibility of using an elimination diet to provide a long-term calming effect on your hyperactive child. The National Institutes of Health acknowledges the possible link between hyperactivity and sugar, artificial sweeteners and food additives such as food colorings. Cutting these items from your child's diet, and replacing them with foods rich in fiber and protein, may lead to a positive change in behavior.
Things You'll Need
- Toys or games
- Journal
