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.