Try these effective games and activities to handle hyperactive kids

Most children are full of energy and that’s a great sign. When compared to adults, you’ll find that children, especially the little ones, hardly ever sit and want to play all the time. Activity is great for your child’s growth and development and should be encouraged. However, it is also important to identify if your child is hyperactive.

Some of the common signs to observe in hyperactive children is that they usually have difficulty in following directions. They can easily get worried, frustrated, angry, and sad. They hardly listen, talk too much and usually interrupt other people’s conversations. Hyperactive children are impulsive, overenthusiastic and always bouncing with limitless energy.

Hyperactivity is related to the brain. It is worth noting that a hyperactive child is not a ‘bad boy’ or a ‘bad girl’. They just need a little more attention and patience to help them stabilise and channelise their energy and thought-process in the right manner and direction.

There are some fun and exciting games and activities which you can make your child participate in to help them focus better, learn and grow as a happy, confident and self-aware person.

Learning karate moves can help your kid to learn how to channelise their energy. It also improves their concentration power and calms their minds. Apart from karate, you can also try any other martial arts activities.

Studies show that martial arts can strengthen neural networks in the brain and enable kids with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) to practice self-control. It will also improve your child’s confidence and enhance their mind and body coordination.

Playing outdoor sports everyday is a healthy way to help your hyperactive kid utilise and channelise their energy in a productive manner. They can pick any active sports of their choice such as football, basketball, volleyball and badminton. Team sports will also improve their social skills and teach them key values around team spirit, sportsmanship, and competition.

If there is no group of kids to play with or you too are busy, you can help inculcate the habit of running everyday. It’s a great way to clear one’s head and improve stamina and get some great exercise.

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Now one way of handling a hyperactive kid is to give them the space to use all their energy, such as in sports. However, you cannot always keep them on a run and sooner or later, they will need to inculcate a sense of stability.

Music is a great tool to calm your kid’s mind and help them unwind, especially after exertion such as after school. Give your child the time to explore various songs and choose what they like. If they are more drawn towards music, you can also encourage them to learn how to play a musical instrument or take part in a school chorus group.

Swimming is a great exercise for hyperactive kids. It helps to release the excess energy, improve focus and reduce impulsiveness and restlessness in children with ADHD. It can also boost your child’s self esteem.

Interesting fact, famed swimmer and Olympic gold-medalist Michael Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 9. He was a mischievous boy who could not focus on anything at school. Learning how to swim helped him calm his mind and feel in control for the first time ever.

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While you may not find it too difficult to engage your child in active physical sports, teaching a hyperactive kid to sit and play with their mind may take some work. However, doing so is totally worth the effort. You can give them jigsaw puzzles or play games with them such as chess, memory, ludo and scrabble.

One of the biggest advantages is that they will improve your child’s thinking skills and concentration powers. With regular practice and enjoying the games, you may notice an improvement in your child’s attention span and problem-solving skills.