When you get feedback from your child’s teacher that your child can’t sit still or is having trouble focusing in class, there are some simple, “first line” strategies you can implement to help. Lara Honos-Webb, Ph.D., psychologist and author of several books including The Gift of ADHD and The Gift of ADHD Activity Book: 101 Ways to Turn Your Child’s Problems into Strengths, explains that small changes in your child’s day can yield some improvements.
Physical Activity Before School
“Before school, give your child a chance to run around outside,” suggests Dr. Honos-Webb. Not only is this physical movement helpful for him, it is also healthy and fun. Additionally, it gives your child an incentive to get going and ready for school during that difficult morning time. Dr. Honos-Webb gives an example of what you might say to your child; “If we get out of the house early we can go outside and race for 20 minutes.” This strategy has the added benefit of being good for you, as well as your child!
Limit All Screen Time
Limit screen time to no more than 2 hours a day. “This means both TV, computer and games,” says Dr. Honos-Webb. Time could be better spent reading, drawing, playing, or running around in the fresh air outside!
Opportunity for Physical Activity During School
Talk with your child’s teacher about the importance of this physical outlet. Be creative in coming up with solutions to allow your child physical activity during the school day. Include your child in the problem solving and solutions. One idea - the teacher could be on the “look out” for any escalating behaviors and when she observes such, she could send your child on a trip to the water fountain or down the hall to the bathroom. She could even have him carry an item to the school secretary or librarian…anything to allow this movement and to help him settle and rejoin the classroom in a positive manner. Once your child gets more and more practice with this strategy, he may begin to recognize when he is in need of this movement and ask for the physical break himself.
Protect Recess Time
Dr. Honos-Webb says that it is important to remember that nature is medicine and activity is medicine. “Work with the teacher to make sure your child gets healthy doses of each throughout the day and ensure that recess is never taken away as punishment for poor behavior.”
Though these techniques are simple, they can be very effective. Give them a try.
Source: Lara Honos-Webb, Ph.D. Personal correspondence/interview. 22 Feb 08.
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