PARENTING A HYPERACTIVE CHILD

Hyperactive children find it very difficult to sit still and obey orders and this trait of course, can be maddening to parents and educators alike. They usually exhibit certain characteristics such as:

• Disorganization: they tend to be scattered and sometimes untidy
• They are easily distracted and thus tend to leave projects undone or half-done
• They are impulsive speakers and sometimes speak without tact
• They have difficulty sleeping and often engage in dangerous activities that put them in physical danger.

Tips for effective handling of the children:

1.      Don’t take things too personal-remember they are not out to intentionally frustrate you.

2.      See the child as someone with strengths and weaknesses, just like other children. No child is perfect.

3.      Seek support. Don’t try to do it alone. Always remember - there are many parents out there with hyperactive children like yours who are successfully dealing with it. Seek out other parents in schools, church groups, etc for ideas on how to cope with hyperactivity in your child.

4.      Chart a daily routine for meals, homework, play, etc and stick to it. Remember they need help learning to be organized, and sticking to a schedule will help them do just that.

5.      Set clear rules and expectations with the child. Reward positive behaviour with praises and encouragement [avoid giving material rewards such as sweets as much as possible]. Also spell out consequences for bad behaviour and be sure to follow through.

6.      Engage the child in physical activities like sports to help release some of the excess energy. This will also help to improve mental alertness and concentration.

7.      Ensure the child gets adequate sleep. Try to reduce the time he/she spends watching television as excessive viewing of television encourages hyperactivity.

8.      Avoid sugary snacks in his/her diet. Healthy meals given regularly will do fine.

9.      Help your child make friends with other children. One way of doing this is to invite one or two friends over to the house on a regular basis and watch them while they interact. Enforce certain rules such as no hitting, pushing or shoving while playing

10.  Commit your child into the hands of God on a regular basis.

Are you a parent or an educator who handles hyperactive children on a regular basis? Please share your experiences with the children and how you handle it so others can benefit.