Caring for and accompanying hyperactive children does require patience and extra energy. In order for hyperactive children to grow and develop optimally, parents need to understand their behavior and how to raise them.
Always active and energetic is a common thing seen in children, especially in preschool.
However, you should be wary if their active behavior actually makes it difficult for them to carry out daily activities or even causes interference with interactions with their peers. This condition can be a symptom attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Hyperactive Child Category or ADHD
The behavior of hyperactive children or children with ADHD can be categorized into two types, namely inattention and inability to remain silent or hyperactive-impulsive.
Hyperactive children with inattention categories have the following symptoms:
- Easily distracted and has a short attention span
- Often careless in doing something
- Easy to forget or lose something
- Always incorrect in carrying out an instruction
- Difficulty keeping up with activities that take up too much time
- Difficulty in organizing tasks
Meanwhile, hyperactive children in the hyperactive-impulsive category have the following symptoms:
- Unable to sit still, especially in a quiet environment
- Always feeling restless
- Difficulty concentrating when doing tasks
- Likes to move his body excessively
- Often or talks a lot
- Can't wait my turn
- Often acts without thinking
- Have no fear
Children with ADHD can be dominant in one of these categories or a combination of both. Some of the above symptoms can cause significant problems in a child's life, such as low achievement in school, poor social interaction, and low levels of discipline.
How to Accompany Hyperactive Children
There is no drug that can cure hyperactive children. However, this condition can be managed through proper support and education for parents and children. In addition, the doctor can also give medication to control the symptoms of ADHD that appear and recommend therapy.
If you have a hyperactive child, here are some things you can do to control your child's behavior:
1. Build an organized and structured child's life
Help your child manage his life, such as managing time for activities or keeping his environment tidy.
Also provide structured, brief, and specific instructions. For example, "Please help mom put the toys in the toy box and put the books back on the shelf," and then praise the child if he does it right.
2. Create a regular bedtime
ADHD can cause sleep problems that make symptoms worse. Create a good bedtime for your child by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
Avoid playing on the computer or watching TV before going to bed because it can interfere with his rest time.
3. Applyddiscipline ppositive in children
Apply strict discipline with compassion. You can do this by rewarding your child for good behavior and preventing negative behavior that gets out of control.
Don't just say thank you when he helps you, but also mention the effort he puts in. For example, "Thank you for helping mom do the dishes." In this way, children become aware of what actions are classified as good.
4. Spending time with children
Take your time every day to just talk and do activities with your child. Give your child your full attention and praise his positive behavior.
You can also spend time with your child by doing physical activities, such as walking around the complex or playing sports. However, make sure he does not do activities that are too strenuous when it is close to bedtime.
5. Fostering healthy family relationships
The relationship between all family members plays a major role in managing or changing the behavior of hyperactive children. Couples with strong bonds often find it easier to face the challenges of parenthood.
Strive to establish healthy communication with your child. If he asks you to talk, respond calmly and patiently.
How to Overcome Learning Difficulties in Hyperactive Children
Hyperactive children have more difficulty concentrating and adapting in class than their peers. This condition can have a negative impact on their academic development and self-confidence.
Even so, there are some tips that you can do to help your child's academic development, including:
- Inform the school regarding the child's special needs so that the teacher can determine the appropriate learning method.
- Try to always discuss with the teacher who teaches children at school.
- Help your child with homework or other school projects.
- Help children in developing their strengths and self-confidence. Facilitate the child with the items he needs to support his talent.
- Send children to schools with special needs to help hyperactive children overcome learning difficulties.
Apart from that, you can also consider homeschooling for ADHD children. This learning method emphasizes the basic things that can support the growth and development of hyperactive children, such as creating routines, managing anxiety, and improving communication.
Homeschool Of course, it can give you more time to spend with your child and help him develop his interests, talents, and self-confidence.
Full support from parents, teaching staff, and the people around them is very important for the growth and development of hyperactive children. Take him to the doctor regularly to check his progress. You can also enlist the help of a professional therapist to provide specific training or guidance.