“Man. I wish I had just an ounce of his energy.” How many times have we said that about kids? I know I’ve said it a million times, and that’s just about my own kids! Kids have lots of energy, and that’s just how it is! Often, their parents can’t even keep up. There’s nothing better for energetic kids than to allow them to give into their desire to run, jump, and play. However, there seems to be a bit of a stigma when it comes to high-energy kids. They don’t always get the best reputation by adults, because it’s assumed that they can’t sit still, and they will ‘just run around and destroy things.’ If kids witness these comments from adults, eventually they could fall into that category, and that could definitely cause disciplinary issues down the road.
It’s so important that kids are given an outlet to channel their energy. It’s important because it does more than let them run the wiggles out. It also:
Gives them confidence. If kids are put in a situation where they can safely run and jump, while testing the abilities of their own body, their desire to try new things is almost immediately stimulated.
Encourages group sport participation. Most kids feed off the energy of others around them. If your child is on a soccer team, for instance, they will be able to focus their energy on the common goal, and when they see other kids reaching to achieve this goal as well, they are successful and have a sense of accomplishment.
Reinforces setting limits. High-energy kids can get excited easily, and may need some redirection to encourage them to focus. Setting limits early on will teach them that there is a time and a place for running wild, and it will encourage good behavior based on rewards. Setting up deals (or pacts, as they’re called in my house) with them can work well, if you promise to take them to the playground as a reward for being awesome during the trip to the mall. Other rewards that could excite them may be a trip to the splash pad, a family bike ride, Friday night open gym, or other ways for them to expel some of their energy. Whatever you decide to do, always follow through on your promise.
High-energy kids are AWESOME kids. They entertain themselves. They have active imaginations, they love challenging themselves, and they never fail to keep US entertained, as well. Kids with a lot of energy function best being themselves—letting that energy fly. Keep them focused, give them a place to redirect their energy, and give them lots of love. Fight the desire to try to reign them in, and remember that they’re still kids. Remember to cherish every high-strung, crazy, absolutely precious moment while they’re still young enough to hug us so hard and fast that they practically knock us over.