how would you calm down a hyperactive child and yourself too when trying to discipline him or her?

Answer 1

Both ignoring and time-outs are highly effective when used CONSISTENTLY. The behavior that is paid attention to is the behavior that will increase.

When the child is acting out, tell him he needs to go to timeout. The timeout location should be a room with no distractions, or can even be a chair in the main room facing the wall. The rule of thumb is one minute for every year of age. Timeout begins when the child is QUIET. Makes sure he understands this.

If the child refuses to go to timeout, tell him, "You have earned one more minute. Please go to timeout now." You can keep this up until he has earned 10 minutes. At that point, if he is still defiant, go to an "if-then" statement: "If you don't go to timeout now, then you will not be able to (list a privilege here - watch the game, go to a friend's house, play any video games for the rest of the day, or some other activity the child enjoys)." You can continue to remove privileges until the child becomes compliant.

In extreme cases you may have to physically escort him to the timeout chair and hold him there while repeating the consequences, until you get compliance. I have never seen this to fail.

Under no circumstances should you strike your child. The only message this sends is that violence is an acceptable answer to noncompliance. You will live to regret it.

Answer 2

First, you need to be in control of yourself before you can deal with a hyperactive child. Try leaving the room where the child is and taking a few calming, deep breaths. Count to 100 if you have to. Only go back in to deal with the child when you have completely calmed down and feel like you can tackle the problem (and not the child). Hyperactive children really need structure/routine in their lives. This means that the consequences for behavior have to be consistent and fair as well. You can't allow them to get away with a behavior one day, and then ground them the next for the same behavior. You have to be consistent in your expectations at all times. It is difficult to do- especially when you are tired or you know they don't feel well, etc., but you have to. Children who are hyperactive typically do not have the "inhibitor" gene that tells them when something is a bad idea (like jumping off the roof or pulling your curtains down). You have to be as consistent in your rules and discipline as possible to make it easy for them to know the consequences. Calming down a hyperactive child can be something as simple as swinging. Slow movements tend to have a calming effect, so slow swinging (say, a glider rocker) can have a great effect on the child- slowing them down as well. You can also try good-'ol distraction... take them from the area or object that you don't want them to play with and help them get interested in something you deem is ok to do.

Answer 3

My son is ADHD and autistic. We all get up set while we're trying to discipline. The method that works best for us is that everyone gets sent to their rooms to relax until everyone involved is calm enough to talk about what went wrong and what the natural consiquenst is ( or what the best punishment is). discipling doesn't work when everyone is so upset. Also try a discipline ladder like the one the parents of the Dilly sextuplets used. Type disciple ladder dilly family into the search engine and you'll find a site that tells you what it is and how to use it. It has helped alot in our house. All the kids desperately want to stay at the top.Good luck.

Answer 4

If your child is hyperactive caffeine will have the opposite effect on him. I was hyperactive as a child and my mom would give me a couple tablespoons of coffee in my milk when she was at her wits end. The coffee would make me relax and would make me a little sleepy. Coffee now wakes me up but not as a child. My mom felt that the coffee was better then the Ritalin they had me on.

Answer 5

You need to keep them occupied and physically active, even more so with boys. Discipline is difficult because physical punishment can make them worse. You need infinite patience and a planned programme of activities to train their brains to concentrate on one thing at a time, play is especially important. They also thrive better in a group with other children rather than as single child.

Answer 6

Give the child an activity like a puzzle or blocks, something that requires thought and eye-to-hand coordination. Show him/her how to do it, and then let them. Eliminate sugar from child's diet, also caffeine. My pediatrician even recommends diluting my daughter's juice to reduce the amount of sugar she gets.

Answer 7

stop creating a hyper kid - no pop, especially that with caffine

less TV - did you know that TV is proven to contribute to hyper activity becasue it bounces from scene to scene so fast and commercials only need short attention spans... NEVER have a TV in your vechicle it teachs kids that they need to be entertained every minute of the day... these kids will grow up into adults who have no idea on how to deal with being bored... we are doing a dis-service to our kids by entertaining them every minute of the day

more nature - kids slow down when dealing with nature.. when throwing rocks into a river or planting seedlings or whatever.. so more outdoor time....

calm them down by walking away and ignoring the hyper behavior.. then settle yourself too

Answer 8

Have you identified a trigger? It may not just be sugar. Food addatives (especially colourings) can make the situation worse.

Counting to 10 does actually work, as does turning your back or walking away.

Answer 9

I get on their level, wisper (they have to calm down to hear me) and we both make bubbles in our mouth (hold our breath and puff out our cheeks) We see who can do it the longest while looking each other in the eyes. It'll give your child the time to concentrate on you and you the chance to see your child and not the little monster that's driving you crazy. Make a million bubbles if that's what you need to calm down but after you are both calm, continue to wisper and tell him/her what you need to say....just remember to wisper....it's a calming technique and have your child wisper back to you.....even if it's in protest. If either of you get heated....make another bubble!

Answer 10

It's not easy. Try to make the child just go in it's room for a while.