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Hyperactive
is often synonymous with the word toddler. Most toddlers can't seem to learn
to stay still for very long, nor can they seem to learn to stay out of trouble.
While living with a hyperactive toddler can be exhausting, there are a few
ways to calm him down :-
- Make sure
that there is no stress or illness in the family contributing to such
behaviour.
- Emphasize
routines. Try and provide meals, naps, food, outings etc a scheduled
time each day. Set limits but don't physically restrain the child.
- Gradually
improve his attention span by introducing games like "lets see
if you can sit quietly for 2 minutes" or try reading a book or
playing a game together.
- Praise
quiet play even if it was very brief.
- Help
the child to improve the skills involved in dressing himself, feeding
himself, playing games etc. as frustration can set off hyperactivity.
- Keep
lots of distractions ready and take lots of breaks, especially while
travelling.
- If he
needs less sleep, don't force him to sleep. Establish a soothing nighttime
ritual for him. Discourage over-stimulation before bedtime.
- Experiment
with the diet to see if any particular food causes hyperactivity.
- Make
it clear that you love him anyway. Unconditional love and support will
help him to become more self-disciplined.
- Channel
the energy into constructive activities like outdoor play, running,
jumping, skipping.
- Take extra
care of the safety aspects. Never leave him unsupervised. When out of
the house try and dress him in bright colours so that you can spot him
from far away.
- Take care
of yourself. Don't be shy of asking relatives or friends to help out
with him.
- Don't
have unreasonable expectations. Whatever you do, a hyperactive child
is going to have a shorter attention span than others and a disinclination
for sitting still.
- Check
with a paediatrician to ensure that he doesn't have Attention deficit
disorder
| Attention
Deficit Disorder is a medical condition and requires medical
treatment. If you feel that your child is unable to play quietly
by himself, tends to be over-aggressive or cannot sit quietly
even for 1-2 minutes, consult your paediatrician. |
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Expert View - All children are naughty, curious, restless and
easily bored. This could simply be channelized by the mother
into constructive activities. However children who have attention
deficit disorder have 3 main characteristics :
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Inattention (unable to finish a task, unable to concentrate)
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Hyperactivity (unable to sit still, climbing, jumping, fidgeting
so much that mother has to keep a watch constantly)
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Impulsivity (does things without thinking, not scared or
cautious)
An Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder child is like
this in almost all situations including games, TV watching
as well as academics. It is not that he is not interested,
it is that he just cannot wait or be attentive for anything.
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