| ADHD is a condition that affect between 2 and 5 | | | | wonderful form of creative exercise. It also |
| percent of school-aged children. ADHD refers to | | | | provides the child with ample opportunity to |
| attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder. Most | | | | develop his social skills. Music, art or dance can |
| children who suffer from this disorder suffer from | | | | help the child to keep himself busy and |
| attention problems as well as hyperactivity. | | | | entertained. |
| Parents of such children are well aware that | | | | In case the child is not interested in any of the |
| inattention and hyperactivity continue throughout | | | | above, you may want him to join a Boy Scouts |
| the day. Keeping such children busy after school | | | | club or other community oriented clubs that take |
| hours can be as difficult as keeping them safe | | | | up social work. Cleaning a park, putting on a show, |
| during the school day. | | | | helping out in an old age home are various |
| The first step while choosing the right after school | | | | activities that may pique your child's interest. |
| activity for your child is to understand how ADHD | | | | Whatever form of activity you choose, make |
| affects him. Is your child interested in sports? Is | | | | sure that you monitor your child's progress |
| he put off by the fierce competitiveness, or does | | | | periodically. If you feel that there is no progress, |
| he find it hard to get along with teammates? | | | | you may need to change the activity. Anything |
| Does your child vocalize his feelings, or is | | | | that increases your child's self-esteem is good. |
| communication a problem? | | | | You may enlist the help of the coach or teacher |
| For a child suffering from ADHD, physical exercise | | | | to assess your child's development. |
| is always beneficial. Exercise takes up the extra | | | | The debate about computer games still goes on. |
| energy and helps to stimulate the brain. Team | | | | Some say that it is not good for ADHD children |
| activities teach social skills and discipline. But, if | | | | as it isolate them socially. Others say that |
| your child is not interested in sports, you may | | | | research show that some type of video games |
| want to look at activities like dancing, cycling, | | | | can actually help improve inattention problems. |
| swimming or gymnastics. Martial arts not only | | | | For any activity you want to do with your child |
| teach techniques of self-defense but also teach | | | | you can also consult some websites that give you |
| self-control and patience. | | | | parenting tips that can help you. Most of them are |
| Interestingly, studies have shown that yoga, | | | | inspired from cognitive therapy which is an |
| because it helps people to learn how to relax and | | | | effective therapy for children with a range of |
| become aware of their body, is good for children | | | | problems. |
| with ADHD. But, it would be even better if you | | | | There are obviously limits to what type of |
| and your child go to yoga together and also | | | | activity an ADHD child can benefit from after |
| practice at home everyday. | | | | school, but creative parents have been able to |
| If your child shows aversion to sport and shows | | | | choose the right activity to contribute to their |
| inclination towards the fine arts, you may need to | | | | child growth and happiness. |
| look at some other options. Acting classes are a | | | | |