High Energy Kids

Do you wonder if you have a high energy child? Does your child touch everything, everywhere they go? Can they talk nonstop for what seems like days, and still ask you thousands of different questions? Do they seem overly curious, creative, adventurous, and fearless? Children who have high energy sometimes wake up early, and are not good sleepers. High energy children can have advanced reasoning skills, big vocabularies, and have great memory skills. They may also have a very sensitive and empathetic side to them. Running and climbing may happen at inappropriate times and places. It can be hard for a high energy child to take their turn or not to interrupt. Most high energy children though have an eagerness to learn anything and everything you put in front of them.

The first thing to know about high energy in children is it is not a bad thing. High energy does not have to be negative. It can be a natural temperament. It doesn’t mean that the child lacks discipline, or that they are misbehaving. High energy can come from a child’s genetics, their personality, or environmental factors around them. High energy children usually are also creative, curious, and determined, which are all beneficial traits if harnessed appropriately.

It can be hard for a child who has high energy to sit still, or to stay focused for a long period of time. Knowing your child is high energy can help you not get frustrated by this. If you need them to sit still and focus on something, make sure they have a wiggle period before you start the task, and then a wiggle period following the task. This will help them know when to let their energy go, and when they need to keep still and steady. Talking your child through the day of when it is ok to be high energy and when they need to reign it in is good so your child knows what you are expecting of them.

Exercise is key for children with high energy. This can be exercise on their own, a class, or even family exercise. Most children love to exercise with their family. It brings connection and quality time all together. Exercise in a classroom environment can be important to help your child learn discipline, listening skills, teamwork, taking direction from others, and interaction with other kids their own age. Exercise helps your child learn safe ways to move their bodies to get energy out. It also helps them with big motor movement skills which are important in their development. Exercise for children just as it does for adults can help regulate your child’s mood. Yoga can be a good option for some high energy children because it helps them work on their breathing, and it helps them learn to focus their minds while doing tasks.

When you have a high energy child setting boundaries and limitations can be helpful for the whole household. Having areas where your child is allowed to be noisy, wild, and high energy either inside or outside of the house should be designated and known by everyone in the household. These areas can be where your child is allowed to jump, climb, dance, or play loudly without discipline. Having an area outside for your child to release energy is also good for you and your child. This could be your backyard, a nearby playground, or a park.

As much as it is important to exercise their bodies it is also important to exercise their minds. High energy kids can burn energy while doing activities that stimulate their brains. These could be kits that promote STEAM, science, technology, engineering, art, and math. It could be building things like blocks or magna-tiles. Arts and crafts are a great way to help your kid burn energy on creating something that can help with self expression. Drawing, painting, kinetic sand, sensory activities, play-dough, are all options of things your child can do to stimulate their brain while also burning energy. Music and instruments can also help a child burn energy. Playing music, singing, or just dancing can be a great way for a child to work off energy. Open-ended play options are also a great way for your child to be creative, stimulate their brain, and to use a lot of energy. Open ended play is when there is no correct way to play, no fixed solutions or outcomes. Your child gets to make up however they want the “game” to go. This could be Legos, sand, peg people, or small toy animals. Even giving your child a cardboard box and letting them imagine what they want to do with it is a way for your child to get some open-ended play time.

Proper nutrition and hydration are essential for high energy children. Their bodies need fuel as they have so much energy to burn and replenish each day. Balanced meals with enough protein, fruits and vegetables are important. Teaching your child proper hydration is also important. Limiting sweet treats, candy, high sugar, and high processed foods is also beneficial for high energy children. Proper sleep should also be a priority. High energy children aren’t always the best sleepers. Having a sleep and nighttime routine can help them know when their bodies need to start winding down and calming down. Consistent bedtimes will help their bodies learn when it is time to sleep. Things that can help your child stay relaxed for bedtime and throughout the night are dim lighting, cool temperatures, or a noise machine. Eliminating disturbances, and helping them get consistent sleep through the night is ideal.

Know that having a high energy child is not a bad thing. Implementing positive reinforcement when your child does something you are proud of can be huge in helping your child know when their energy is being used at appropriate times. Consistent consequences will also be helpful in your journey with a high energy child. Helping your child know when it is ok to have big energy and when it is a time they need to sit and focus will help you all navigate a high energy life with your child.

Do you wonder if you have a high energy child? #HealthSurgeon

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