Several Beneficial Activities for High Energy Kids
David was the kind of kid who was known for having a great deal of energy. On many occasions, his high energy level made it difficult for him to focus on things that required him to sit still or to be calm. He was only in first grade but was already experiencing struggles at school. His teacher suggested that this was related to his having more energy than most children his age. David was lucky to have parents who tried to find ways for him to release his energy. They consulted with his teachers and with a child psychologist who performed an evaluation of David. Suggestions for controlling high energy were made by both teachers and the psychologist. Some of the suggestions involved structuring home life to include meaningful work for David, as well as age appropriate mental and physical tasks to keep him busy. His parents began operating a behavioral chart where they kept track of all the ways David helped and followed directions throughout the week. One of the biggest changes they made was to enroll David in a structured activity which would help him learn to control and release some of his energy. Mom and Dad took David to shop for karate uniforms as this was the activity the family decided upon. Finding the right karate gi jacket and pants was easy and fun. Soon David enjoyed finding success in learning this martial art. If you have a child who exhibits traits of those who have a high energy level the following activities are often recommended as good choices for energy release.
1. Tae Kwon Do is an excellent activity for the child who struggles with high energy levels or focus issues. The art of Tae Kwon Do teaches body control and discipline and it is an excellent activity for a child trying to learn to control both mind and body.
2. Swimming is a wise choice for children who are looking to get rid of some extra energy. The exercise involved in swimming pushes the muscles hard but in a very safe and low impact environment. Children do not have to worry about injury to joints, muscles, or bones and learning to swim safely as a child is extremely beneficial later in life. Many children also experience a calming sensation from being immersed in water.
3. Involvement in gymnastics can help a high energy child get the exercise he or she needs. Participation in gymnastics helps children learn how to control body movements and offers a disciplined and structured environment.
4. Long distance running is a great choice for children looking to find a physical activity that is challenging. Distance running, although not typically thought of for elementary kids, teaches endurance, perseverance, and patience.
5. Participation in dance class can be a perfect choice of activity for the child with a high energy level. Particularly for the child who is not interested in sporting activities, music and movement offer a wonderful outlet for energy. The enjoyment of music is also often very profound for a child looking for outlets for a high energy level.
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