After School Activities

For Hyperactive Children ...

Parents of children suffering from attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD) 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.

After School Activities For The Hyperactive Children

The first step while choosing the right after school activities for your child is to understand how ADHD affects him. What is you child interested in?

Is your child interested in sports or put off by the fierce competition, or can he get along well with his teammates? Can your child express is own feeling, or is communication a problem to him?

Exercise is always beneficial for a child suffering from ADHD. Exercise takes up the extra energy and helps to stimulate the brain. Team activities teach discipline and social skills.

But, if your child shy away from team sports, you may want to look at activities like swimming, gymnastics, dancing or cycling. Martial arts not only teach techniques of self-defense but also teach patience and self-control.

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.

You may want your child to join a Boy Scouts club or other community oriented clubs that take up social work, in case he is not interested in any of the above.

Putting on a show, cleaning a park, helping out in an old age home are various after school activities that may pique your child's interest.

Make sure that you monitor your child's progress periodically, whatever form of after school activities you choose. 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 wish to engage the help of a coach or teacher to assess your child's development.

There are certain after school activities that are detrimental to a child suffering from ADHD. Computer 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 your child to be as near to normal as possible, understanding his needs and limits will help you select the right after school activities - one that is fulfilling, tiring as well as challenging.