It’s a known fact that children tend to fidget. But what do you do when a child’s energy seems endless? Here are some strategies to help your kid calm down and refocus.
A restless child experiences the world very intensely. They release excess energy by running, jumping, and screaming. Sitting still is almost impossible. If your child is restless, try to figure out what’s causing their agitation. It may be one of several things:
- Sadness
- Fatigue
- Worry
- Excessive happiness
- Anxiety
- Etc.
Sometimes agitation stems from insecurity. When a child can’t predict an adult’s expectations or what the next task will be, they can become confused. In response, they adopt inappropriate behaviours, such as shouting, interrupting, and jumping up and down. An effective way to prevent these uncomfortable situations is to establish a routine. Here are some suggestions for creating one:
- Identify your child’s needs and preferences
- Determine the order of their routine (get out of bed, eat breakfast, brush your teeth, etc.)
- Display the routine somewhere they can see it
- Etc.
Like routines, time markers are great tools. Both can help children feel more secure and have a calming effect. To help your child orient themselves in time, try to use the following time markers:
- A timer to know how long they spend on a task
- A family calendar to keep track of the days of the week
- An hourglass to create an awareness of the passing time
- Etc.
Sometimes, a child’s excess energy is a sign that they really need to move their bodies. If this is the case for your child, try an intense outdoor activity, such as the following:
- Biking
- Running
- Ball games
- Etc.
Whether they’re hyperactive or simply active, children must learn to control their emotions and channel their energy to function well in class and in society. This skill takes practice, and the best way to practise is through the following sports:
- Yoga
- Judo
- Karate
- Etc.
Learning to relax is important for a child who is always restless. Help your child by teaching them to breathe slowly or do meditation exercises. You can also suggest other relaxing activities:
- Colour a mandala
- Do some origami
- Listen to music
- Etc.
It’s not uncommon for a child to get a little overexcited when doing homework. Fatigue and stress play into this phenomenon. However, you can help your child expend energy by letting them move between each task. Children see this as a kind of reward, so these small transitions make a big difference. Here are a few short activities to get your kid moving:
- Walk around the table
- Do sit-ups
- Have a dance party in the living room
- Etc.
If your child is impulsive and constantly agitated, to the point where their behaviour is impacting their relationships, school performance, and family life, you may want to consult a specialist or a health care professional.
Writing : Marie-Claude Ouellet
Scientific review : Émilie St-Onge, psychoeducator
Rewriting : The Alloprof Parents' team
Suzanne LAVIGUEUR. Ces parents à bout de souffle, Québec, les éditions Québec-Livres, « collection famille », 2009, 424 pages.