Tips for Working with a Child Who Is Very Active
Friends, Family and Home
- Give her quieter activities to do.
- Play safe physical games, and take walks as a family.
- Encourage him to play outside with friends with adult supervision.
- Let family members know when a baby is being held too long and needs to be put down.
Learning, Childcare and School
- Let teachers know that she is an active child.
- Ask teachers to allow him to walk around, give special jobs, etc. when your child is restless.
- Be sure outside and/or active play time is provided daily at school.
- Limit time in cribs, playpens and swings.
Activities and Television
- Limit time watching television.
- Keep her busy and moving with outside time, play and chores such as putting up his toys.
- Help him learn to sit still when older by playing board and card games that are short.
- Provide safe floor space for baby to roll, crawl and move around.
Guidance and Discipline
- Watch her closely when she is near sharp objects, streets, or climbing.
- When he is restless, have him dust furniture or run around the yard.
- Teach her how to calm down when she is overactive, such as slow breathing or walking, or rub her back.
- Discipline him by using an activity rather than time out.
- Babyproof your home to protect active children.
Tips for Working with a Child Who Is Less Active
Friends, Family and Home
- Play quiet activities but also introduce activities that are fun and active.
- Plan family walks and bike rides, trips to the mall and other active outings.
- Play quiet activities such as board games or cards with your child.
- Plan play dates for your child and his friends to become more active.
Learning, Childcare and School
- Provide her with quieter activities such as puzzles, matching games, and play dough.
- Use childcare programs with a low child-staff ratio to ensure he gets enough attention.
- Ask teachers to balance her time between physical and nonphysical activities.
- Choose a childcare program that encourages children to play actively outdoors and indoors.
Activities and Television
- Give him art materials, small figures such as animals and building toys.
- Limit television to less than 10 hours per week for older children, less for younger.
- Involve her in physical play activities with other children.
- Visit the playground often.
- Provide infants with interactive toys that encourage movement.
Guidance and Discipline
- Encourage him to be active but understand his need to be quiet and calm.
- Provide active chores but also calmer ones such as folding socks or setting the table.
- Require outside time or doing something active before or in exchange for TV time.
- Make sure to stop and play, hold and talk to your quiet baby.