Hyperactivity in children can be hard to manage. Parents often ask how to reduce hyperactivity in children in safe and simple ways. The good news is, you do not need medicine to help.
There are daily habits that really work. These habits come from experts and parents, too. They are steps on how to reduce hyperactivity in children, which are easy to follow. With the right steps on how to reduce hyperactivity in children, children can feel calm and focused.
First, we must understand what causes hyperactivity. Then, we can use tools that bring real change. These tools include better sleep, healthy food, and simple routines.
In this article, you will learn how to reduce hyperactivity in children and what works best. You will find habits to use every day. You will also see natural ways to reduce stress. Try these methods on how to reduce hyperactivity in children and help your child feel better. Keep reading to learn how to reduce hyperactivity in children with ease.
What is Hyperactivity?
Understanding hyperactivity is really important, and how to adhere to it is not a disorder. Hyperactivity means being overly active most of the time and sometimes causing disruptions.https://bloomingearlyyears.com/easy-sensory-play-activities-for-toddlers/
Hyperactivity is often connected to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), mostly in kids. Still, it can also show up in adults. Sometimes, it comes from other things like stress, anxiety, poor sleep, or health problems.
Understanding and Handling Hyperactive Behavior at Home
Parenting keeps changing with time. You’ve learned how to handle many school apps, joined endless online meetings with teachers, and made far too many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to count.
You’ve likely faced the mess that happens when your children are left alone for even five minutes. And your idea of a workout? It might be lifting your 6-year-old off the fridge as they search for something to eat.
Though the pandemic brought many new duties for parents, some things haven’t changed. Kids still have fewer chances to play with others in person, and homes are often filled with nonstop action.
Rachel Slick, a behavioral therapist from UCHealth in Greeley, says that these actions are typical in children. It’s common when kids stay indoors and spend more time using screens. “This doesn’t always mean something is wrong or that medicine is needed,” she explains.
Even though life is slowly returning to normal, you may still ask yourself when to be truly worried about your child’s energy levels. Slick adds that no matter if a child has been diagnosed or not, simple methods can help. Parents can set routines and manage restlessness with basic behavior tools. “This challenge isn’t new,” she says.
Kids being constantly active and sometimes interrupting things is normal. For stressed-out parents, Slick shares tips to help ease the pressure and guide kids through high-energy behavior.
Is Hyperactivity Normal in Children?
“Yes,” said Slick, “some hyperactivity is normal as children grow and learn.” Many kids, compared to others their age, naturally move more or act with more energy.
When Should You Be Concerned?
Parents should act when the child’s behavior causes problems at home or school. Slick explains that it’s time to seek help when hyperactivity affects friendships, chores, or schoolwork. Signs may include always being punished at school, not finishing homework, having trouble making friends, or getting bullied.
What Behaviors Are Not Typical?
Some signs show hyperactivity might be more than just extra energy. Look out for:
- Running or climbing when it’s not allowed
- Squirming in seats or fidgeting nonstop
- Speaking too much or out of turn
- Jumping out of their seat when they should be sitting
- Interrupting others or shouting answers
- Having trouble waiting their turn
- Acting like they are always “on the go”
- Playing too loudly during quiet time
- Blurting things out before questions end
Slick reminds parents that many of these actions are part of growing up. These signs are only a concern if they make daily life hard at school or home.
Can Someone Have Attention Issues Without Hyperactivity?
Yes. ADD means a person struggles with attention but not with extra activity. Like ADHD, it can be diagnosed when at least six signs last over six months and cause real problems.
These signs include:
- Making mistakes from not paying attention
- Getting distracted by small things
- Not listening when spoken to
- Avoiding work that needs deep focus
- Losing items needed for tasks
- Forgetting things in daily life
- Struggling to follow the steps
- Having trouble staying organized
- Not finishing schoolwork or chores.
Helpful Strategies on How to Reduce Hyperactivity in Children
Even without a diagnosis, parents can use simple strategies to help kids focus and stay calm. These tools create structure and support better behavior.
- Create a Regular Routine: Children of all ages benefit from having a routine. Keep wake-up times, bedtimes, and meals on a steady schedule. Try to keep the day-to-day plan similar. This helps children feel safe and know what comes next.
- Make a Focus Space: Pick one spot in the house for schoolwork. This space should be free from distractions. It helps the child link that place with focus and learning.
- Plan Movement Breaks: Give children time to move. Schedule times during the day to play or stretch. This helps healthily release extra energy.
- Praise Good Behavior Often: When your child does something good, say it out loud. Use clear praise like, “I saw you put your toys away. Good job!” This makes them want to do it again.
- Use a Token Reward System: Rewards can teach positive habits. For example, give a sticker when your child finishes homework. After 10 stickers, let them have extra game time.
- Set Clear Behavior Rules: Talk with your child about what behaviors are okay and what are not. Decide on rules together. Stay consistent. Changing the rules each day confuses kids.
- Give Warnings Before Transitions: Let your child know before switching tasks. Try saying, “In 10 minutes, it’s time for math,” then again at 5 minutes, and at 2 minutes. This gives their brain time to adjust.
- Break Tasks Into Small Steps: Large tasks can feel too big. Help your child split them up. “Get ready for school” becomes: brush teeth, get dressed, and pack your bag. Make a checklist and post it on the fridge or bathroom mirror.
- Use Timers and Breaks: Set a timer for focus time—start with 5 to 15 minutes. After that, give a 5-minute break. During the break, have the child move around. Avoid screen time during this short rest.
How Is Hyperactivity Different from ADHD or ADD?
Psychologists have enlightened parents, or individuals, that hyperactivity alone doesn’t mean someone has ADHD. ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, while ADD means attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity.
ADHD is diagnosed when symptoms cause problems in more than one part of life. This could include trouble at school, work, with family, or in social settings.
Most people feel overly active at times. But if it doesn’t affect daily life, it’s not considered a disorder. ADHD and ADD also involve problems with attention. These can look like not focusing long enough to finish tasks or games, not listening when spoken to, or struggling to follow steps.
Other signs include not finishing schoolwork or chores, being unorganized, avoiding tasks that need focus, losing important items, getting distracted easily, or being forgetful in everyday routines.
How to Manage ADHD Symptoms
1. Define the rules, but allow some flexibility
Keep rules simple and clear, and consider rewarding your child for following them. Consistently reinforce positive behavior and discourage negative actions, but allow for some flexibility.
Children with ADHD may take longer to adjust to changes. It’s important to let your child make mistakes as they learn. Quirky behaviors that don’t harm anyone are part of your child’s personality. Discouraging these unique traits may be harmful, even if they seem unusual.
2. Help your child manage aggression
Children with ADHD may sometimes experience aggressive outbursts. A “time-out” can be a helpful strategy to calm both your child and yourself.
If your child misbehaves in public, calmly and firmly remove them from the situation. Explain that a “time-out” is a time to cool off and reflect on their actions. Mildly disruptive behaviors can be ignored to allow your child to release built-up energy. However, if the behavior is harmful, abusive, or intentionally disruptive and goes against your established rules, it may require a consequence.
3. Help your child create structure
Establish a daily routine and stick to it consistently. Create rituals for meals, homework, playtime, and bedtime. Simple tasks, like having your child prepare their clothes for the next day, can help provide structure and stability.
4. Break tasks into manageable pieces
Try using a large wall calendar to help your child remember their responsibilities. Color-code chores and homework to prevent your child from feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks and schoolwork. You can also break down morning routines into smaller, manageable tasks to make them easier to follow.
5. Simplify and organize your child’s life
Designate a calm area where your child can focus on reading, homework, or simply relax. Make sure the space is quiet and free from distractions. Keeping your home tidy and organized will also be beneficial. When everything has a designated place, your child can easily find what they need. This helps minimize distractions and makes it easier for them to concentrate.
6. Help limit distractions
Children with ADHD can easily get distracted by devices such as TVs, video games, and computers. These distractions may lead to impulsive behavior, so it can help to limit them when possible. Reducing screen time and encouraging outdoor activities can give your child a chance to release excess energy. Engaging in physical activities outside the house can also help your child focus better.
7. Encourage your child to exercise
Physical activity helps burn off excess energy in a healthy way and can improve focus. It encourages concentration on specific movements, which may reduce impulsivity. Exercise also lowers the risk of depression and anxiety, promoting brain health.
Many professional athletes have ADHD, and studies show that sports can provide a positive outlet for their energy and attention. Athletics may help children with ADHD channel their passion and focus productively.
8. Help regulate your child’s sleep patterns
Bedtime can be challenging for children with ADHD, as poor sleep can worsen inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. It’s crucial to support your child in getting better rest. One way to do this is by creating a calming bedtime routine. To improve their sleep, try eliminating stimulants such as sugar and caffeine, and reduce screen time before bed.
9. Teach your child to use out-loud thinking
Children with ADHD may struggle with self-control, leading them to act or speak impulsively. Encourage your child to express their thoughts and reasoning when they feel the urge to act out. This can help you better understand their thought process and teach them how to manage impulsive behaviors.
10. Encourage your child to use a wait time strategy
One way to help your child manage impulsive speech is by teaching them to pause before responding. Encourage them to take a moment to think before replying. You can also promote more thoughtful responses by assisting with homework and asking engaging questions about their favorite TV shows or books. This approach helps your child practice thoughtful communication.
11. Be encouraging in general
It’s essential to stay positive and supportive, as your child may not realize that you experience stress too. Celebrate their good behavior so they understand when they’ve done something right. While they may struggle with certain behaviors, showing confidence in their abilities can boost their self-esteem and help them stay motivated to succeed.
12. Find individualized counseling
You can’t do everything on your own. While your encouragement is vital, your child may also benefit from professional help. Consider finding a therapist who can work with your child and provide extra support.
It’s important to remember that while focusing on your child’s needs, you must also take care of yourself. A therapist can help you manage your stress and anxiety. Additionally, joining a local support group for parents of children with ADHD can offer valuable resources and understanding.
13. Take planned breaks away from your child
It’s impossible to be supportive all the time. Every parent feels overwhelmed or frustrated at times. Just as your child needs breaks while studying, you also need time to recharge. Scheduling alone time is crucial. Consider hiring a babysitter so you can focus on self-care, such as:
- Going for a walk
- Hitting the gym
- Taking a relaxing bath
- Calling or visiting a friend
Taking time for yourself helps you stay energized and better able to support your child.
14. Try to remain calm
It’s difficult to help an impulsive child when you’re feeling aggravated. Children tend to imitate the behavior they see, so staying composed during an outburst can teach your child to do the same. Take a moment to breathe, relax, and gather your thoughts before trying to redirect your child. The calmer you are, the more likely your child will calm down as well.
15. Be flexible with yourself and your child
Be open to compromise with your child. If they complete two out of three tasks, consider adjusting your expectations for the third one. Remember, it’s a learning process, and even small progress is important.
Ways to Calm Your Child with ADHD
In this piece, we will go over seven helpful tips that can make your home more peaceful and help your child feel more at ease.
These ideas include building a strong daily routine, giving clear rules, and teaching deep breathing. Also, playing outside, using soft lighting, giving praise often, and limiting screen time can help.
Each child is different, so try different methods to see what works best. By using these calm and caring steps, parents can help their children grow stronger, focus better, and enjoy their daily lives.
1. Follow instructions
If your child gets an ADHD diagnosis and starts treatment, your role as a parent becomes even more important. You need to follow all the steps the doctor suggests.
If you and the doctor choose medicine for your child, be sure to use it regularly. Skipping doses makes it hard to know if the medicine is helping. Also, tell the doctor if you see side effects or have questions about the type of medication.
Along with medicine, think about adding other kinds of help. Parent training, social skill classes, or child therapy can all support your child. These extra tools can make a big difference in your child’s growth and behavior.
2. Be consistent with your parenting
Just like with treatment, staying consistent at home is very important. Children often get more hyper when there’s no clear plan or when they’re not being watched.
Unstructured times can lead to more active behavior. But if you create a daily routine with a bit of flexibility, you can help prevent things from getting out of hand.
A steady schedule over time builds healthy habits. It teaches your child how to control their energy. You don’t need to control every little thing, but you do need to set some simple rules and structure. This kind of order helps your child feel safe and stay calm.
3. Break up homework with activities
Asking someone with ADHD to sit still for long periods is unfair. Instead, break activities into smaller chunks of time to make them more manageable.
If your child can only focus for a few minutes, let them work for that time. Afterward, give them a short 3-minute break to move around—stretch, jump, or whatever helps them release energy. This method can turn homework into a more productive time, reducing restlessness and excessive movement.
4. Form the behavior
Shaping is a technique used in behavioral therapies. It starts by accepting your child’s current behavior and making small improvements with rewards.
For example, in the homework scenario, you would start by having your child focus for 6 minutes, then take a break. Gradually increase the time—7 minutes, 8 minutes, and so on—until the homework is finished.
Each time your child successfully works for the planned time, reward them. Rewards could be kind words, a hug, a small treat, or a fun activity later. This method helps your child link longer periods of focus with positive outcomes. With practice, they’ll be able to focus for even longer.
5. Allow them to fidget
Let your child fidget while working on tasks that need patience. Playing with a small toy, a piece of clothing, or a fidget tool (like a fidget cube) can help them stay focused and improve attention, while also reducing excess movement.
6. Let your child play before taking on big tasks
Kids mostly focus better if they can release extra energy before sitting still for a task. If they’ve been sitting all day, jumping into homework right away might not work well. Instead, give them some fun, active playtime when they get home. Allowing a half-hour of play can help your child settle and make focusing on homework easier and more effective.
7. Help them practice relaxation
Teaching your child relaxation techniques can help them understand their body, emotions, behaviors, and hyperactivity better.
Some effective relaxation methods include:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Mindfulness meditation
- Visualization
- Yoga
It may take some trial and error to find the right time to practice these techniques, but the effort will pay off with positive results.
8. Try a Grounding Technique
To help your child refocus, use the 5 Senses Grounding Tool:
- Name 5 things you can see
- Name 4 things you can hear
- Name 3 things you can touch
- Name 2 things you can smell
- Name 1 thing you can taste
Doing this often will train their mind to connect it with focus time. Over time, they’ll return to work more easily.
Tips for Parents on How to Help a Child with ADHD
Raising a child with ADHD presents its own set of challenges. The severity and type of your child’s symptoms will determine how best to establish routines and rules at home. You might need to experiment with different approaches to see what works.
One effective approach is behavioral modification. This helps your child learn to think about the consequences of their actions and control impulsive behavior. By maintaining empathy, patience, and consistency, you can support your child in achieving these goals.
Parenting a child with ADHD requires flexibility and creativity. While routines are important, finding a balance that works for both you and your child is key. Stay consistent, but also be open to trying new methods.
Explore these strategies for parenting your child with ADHD, and try different techniques to see what works best for your family.
You must decide which behaviors are acceptable to you and which are not.
It’s essential to show your child that actions lead to consequences. Setting clear rules and outcomes for following or ignoring these rules is crucial. Be sure to apply these rules consistently across different areas of your child’s life, such as at home, in school, and with friends.
One effective method is to use a points system. For instance, allow your child to earn points for good behavior, which they can exchange for rewards like pocket money, TV time, or a new video game.
Once you have simple behavior goals or house rules, write them down and display them somewhere visible. Consistent repetition and positive reinforcement will help your child understand these rules more clearly.
To maintain consistency, it’s also important to communicate these goals and expectations with other caregivers and teachers. This ensures everyone involved is on the same page, supporting your child in all environments.
Who Can Diagnose ADHD or ADD?
Only trained professionals—like doctors or mental health experts—can give a real diagnosis. There’s no simple test. Slick says it involves watching the child in different places, like school and home.
Parents and teachers can share stories that help the expert understand the child better. “If you see that these behaviors are hurting your child’s progress or happiness,” said Slick, “then it’s time to ask for help from a specialist.”
The Summary on How to Reduce Hyperactivity in Children
Parenting a child with ADHD may require extra planning, but some strategies on how to reduce hyperactivity in children can help your child feel supported and allow you to create the home you desire. As the parent, you set the standards for acceptable behavior in your household. With patience and care, you can guide your child in developing new behavior patterns and help them build confidence.
Now you know how to reduce hyperactivity in children without using medication. These natural methods on how to reduce hyperactivity in children are safe and very helpful. Daily habits like sleep, play, and healthy food bring great results. They help children feel calm. They also support better focus.
Parents should try these tips on how to reduce hyperactivity in children every day. Over time, children will change. They will feel more peaceful and less restless. Every child is different. But with love, patience, and the right habits, things do improve. You can help your child grow in a healthy way using any of the ways outlined in this article on how to reduce hyperactivity in children.
Start small, stay consistent, and see the change. Helping your child feel calm is possible. And you can do it step by step.