Focusing the energy of an energetic child can seem like a full-time job. They won’t sit still. Always fidgeting. Constant movement and sometimes a lack of focus. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, it can be focused on lessons that are both effective and fun.
Tips for Energetic Children -
1. Participate In Sports Physical activity is essential for a child. In fact, it’s recommended that children receive 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Playing organized sports – in a team or individual setting – is a fun way to get that physical activity while building social skills. Individual sports like martial arts, tennis, swimming, and running can harness energy, as can team sports such as basketball, football, and soccer.
2. Take Dancing, Acting, or Singing Lessons If your child is interested, learning an instrument or becoming active in drama can be excellent activities. They serve as an energy outlet (outside of a sport) while requiring focus, coordination, and study.
3. Have Some Social Time Playing games with both family and friends can instill some skills such as patience, focus, strategy, and taking turns. Board games and non-competitive, cooperative games work well.
4. Set Up Obstacle Courses Setting up an obstacle course around the house or yard can burn some energy while also fostering creativity. Use the items in your house to create the course. Building an obstacle course and then timing your children as they race through it can be fun for hours!
5. Wrestling Whether it's jumping on mom or dad or playfully wrestling whether it’s appropriate or not, kids like a little roughhousing, and there are plenty of benefits as well. If available, there are also many benefits to organized wrestling.
Benefits of Exercise In Children
Even if it’s not a matter of focusing excess energy in your child, it’s clearly beneficial to encourage your child to participate in physical activity.
Physical activity can increase cognitive development
Physical fitness leads to lower rates of obesity
Development of a broad array of sensory skills
Regular exercise promotes positive self-image and emotional response
Active children become active and healthy adults
All of this may seem like a lot, but it isn’t. Luckily, there’s a place where you can have your child focus excess energy while sharpening discipline and skill. There’s also the benefit of getting out of the house and exercising and socializing with other kids.
Sources: CDC.gov: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/children/index.htm Psych Central: https://psychcentral.com/lib/6-benefits-of-roughhousing-for-kids/