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After school
activity for the hyperactive child
ADHD refers to attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder. Most
children who suffer from this disorder suffer from attention
problems as well as hyperactivity. Parents of such children are well
aware that inattention and hyperactivity continue throughout the
day. Keeping such children busy after school hours can be as
difficult as keeping them safe during the school day.
The first step while choosing the right after school activity for
your child is to understand how ADHD affects him. Is your child
interested in sports? Is he put off by the fierce competitiveness,
or does he find it hard to get along with teammates? Does your child
vocalize his feelings, or is communication a problem?
For a child suffering from ADHD, physical exercise is always
beneficial. Exercise takes up the extra energy and helps to
stimulate the brain. Team activities teach social skills and
discipline. But, if your child shies away from team sports, you may
want to look at activities like dancing, cycling, swimming or
gymnastics. Martial arts not only teach techniques of self-defense
but also teach self-control and patience.
If your child shows aversion to sport and shows inclination towards
the fine arts, you may need to look at some other options. Acting
classes are a wonderful form of creative exercise. It also provides
the child with ample opportunity to develop his social skills.
Music, art or dance can help the child to keep himself busy and
entertained.
In case the child is not interested in any of the above, you may
want him to join a Boy Scouts club or other community oriented clubs
that take up social work. Cleaning a park, putting on a show,
helping out in an old age home are various activities that may pique
your child's interest.
Whatever form of activity you choose, make sure that you monitor
your child's progress periodically. If you feel that there is no
progress, you may need to change the activity. Anything that
increases your child's self-esteem is good. You may enlist the help
of the coach or teacher to assess your child's development.
There are certain activities that are detrimental to a child
suffering from ADHD. Computer and video games are a definite NO.
Since these games need no interaction, children will feel all the
more isolated. These children also find it difficult to distinguish
between the good and the bad messages. They may therefore show an
inclination to stick to messages that are not needed. Games that
need the child to sit and wait for his turn patiently tax his
patience and will not be a success.
Although you would want these children to be as near to normal as
possible, understanding their needs and limits will help you select
the right after school activity - one that is fulfilling, tiring as
well as challenging.
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