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Answers to Readers' Questions on Education
Teaching Hyperactive
The following 25 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Article helped me understand some classroom problems
- Has trouble with misbehaving boys in her class
- Son is hyperactive and always gets zero in school tests
- Son acts up when playing with others
- Four-year-old doesn't behave in British school
- Daughter has many physical special needs
- Son has been going the wrong direction
- Homeschooling my hyperactive son works well
- My 6-year-old son may have ADHD
- Sone may have hyperthyroidism
Article helped me understand some classroom problems
Question
October 3, 2009
This article helped me to better understand some of the problems I am seeing in the classroom. I will hope to implement some of your ideas in order to get a positive outcome on childrn's ability to focus in class. If you have any further articles or stategies that may be helpful, please e-mail them.
Thank you
Ana - USA
18430
Answer
Note that boys often seem more hyperactive in classes than do girls. One reason is that some boys need more physical or hands-on activity to help them learn and pay attention. They aren't ADHD but simply need a different approach.
Look at the Reader Feedback on our lesson to see what other teachers and parents think about the topic.
Best wishes in teaching your students. I know you will do a good job at it.
Has trouble with misbehaving boys in her class
Question
September 4, 2009
dear sir,
i'm a teacher in year 1.this year i have to face many active student in my class, especialy boys. i have 22 students with age 6-7 in class,a half are boys and a half are girls. the girls are ok. they can follow all the subjeck i conduct. but there are 3 boys can not follow.they don't pay attention to the subject, and usually chase after each others in the class room, shout to each other etc altough they know it's forbidden in the class.they often go outside from the class while i teach.if they are asked get in they will do nothing.they often say "i'm tired" or "i'm lazy"if they asked to do worksheet. they have only short consetration.i try to make many fun games in class to atract them.but nihil.i try o aprouch them in with individual dialogu to know what they want but i still don't have any clue.i try with reward and funishment too.but it's not realy work too.it's seem they only want to play outside.what do i have to do?
fely hilman
jogja-indonesia
thanks
fely - Indonesia
18258
Answer
Boys are typically more active than girls and have greater problems sitting still and paying attention. Often some of them learn more by physical activities than sitting in class.
But that is no excuse for them to show disrespect to you and to break school rules. You need to be very firm in showing that you are in charge of the class and that they need to behave.
You might try something like this: Next Monday start your class by telling them there are going to be some new rules in the classroom that will be strictly enforced. State the rules that apply to all the students, where there is no shouting, no leaving the seat without the teacher's permission, no leaving the classroom during the class hours, and other important rules. You can tell them that the punishment for breaking the rules are (1) a warning, (2) detention and no play time, (3) a message to the parents, and if they still misbehave (4) failure in the class or even a suspension.
It is difficult for you to gain control of your class again, but you must be firm and stern, with no giving in.
Before you implement this plan, talk to your principal for approval. Also, perhaps talk to some of the older teachers for advice.
Note that the parents of the boys that misbehave probably would be angry at their children for acting up. They want their boys to learn and not to be held back in school.
I hope these ideas help. Let me know how things turn out in your class.
Son is hyperactive and always gets zero in school tests
Question
August 8, 2009
i had a hyperactive son 7 years old when he is in scholl he can understsnd tere lessons always got zero hes weak but in home hes not like that pls advice me what to do
christine - Philippines
18131
Answer
One thing he needs to do is to learn to concentrate and complete the test. It is good to have him practice taking tests at home, where he must sit and finish the test. Praise him when he finishes a test and when he gets a good grade. Tell him it makes you happy. Also, you might even give him a reward. But praise is most important.
Teachers do not want their students to get bad grades. Tell his teacher you want him to practice taking tests at home. The teacher may be able to give you some sample tests for him to practice.
I hope these ideas help. It is not good for his esteem and confidence if he gets poor grades in school.
Son acts up when playing with others
Question
June 22, 2009
Hi there,
My son is hyper but with more them one friend only one to one he is bright as gold. He is four years old has a fantastic vocabulary and imagination and all this is very much stimulated by us parents, but learning in group starting the big issue. I really want to know exercise to help my son to be prepared to Pre School.
Do we have kind of exercise / as briefing or something else?
He is very good in all games for this age but as I sad one to one as soon we have more them one friend around bye bye his behaviour change completed. I though was toilet time and he holds to play more and not loose anything but my wife starts thinking can not be.
Please if you have any kind of advice send to me as I searching and I have not found any direction to my case.
I appreciate your time
Thanks a lot
Alex - UK
17933
Answer
Many young boys are very active and full of energy. So that does not mean your son is hyperactive. It sounds like he is good at playing with another friend, but when there are several children involved, he starts to act up.
One thing to do is to watch him when he plays with just one friend. Does he seem to be in charge and controlling the games with suggestions and such? If he usually is the "boss" when playing with one friend, he may feel threatened when playing with several others, especially if one of the other boys seems more assertive. You son is just trying to be in charge. He has to learn to cooperate with the other children in playing.
Sometimes children who want to be the best among others will have problems in school, because they can't wait their turn or will act silly to get extra attention.
At four-years-old, a child is still very self-centered. It takes a while to learn social skills and how to get along with others.
Don't scold him if he acts up when playing with others, because he may like the extra attention. Instead, tell him it is nice to cooperate with others and praise him when he does get along with others, even if just one friend.
He is a normal boy, and it is good that he is bright for his age. He will learn social skills in time and with encouragement from his parents.
Best wishes on enjoying your son.
Four-year-old doesn't behave in British school
Question
March 4, 2009
My son is in a British school , it's a very good one and teachers are from Britain so I trust them. The problem with my son is that he is 4 and 4 months , he is in kg2 but he is not sitting in the class he is always out. When teachers push him to class , he push them or sleeps. They have a lot of work to be done in the class but my son does some work then he stops working with the class. At home he is ok he does his work , maybe in an unorganized way but he can do it with some help . When I asked the teachers they said that he can't go to grade one because he is weak . I'm asking is it a solution to let him repeat the same year or put him in grade one next year. Is to change of school will have a good result . Some say that he is still young and his teacher can't exactly tell me is he weak in the subject or the school is not suitable for his age? Can I say that he has ADHD?
sherien - Egypt
17382
Answer
Children mature at different rates. Boys mature slower than girls. They are also more physically active and a little harder to get to do school work, especially when only 4 years old.
Also, some children do not do well in strict schools. It is too much pressure, especially at a young age. Although the British education is good, you might try him with Egyptian teachers or an Egyptian tutor to see how he responds.
Do not expect too much or pressure your son too much at his age. Note that some very successful people were slow starters. If he is a good boy at home, he will be acting better in school in the future.
By the way, he does not sound like he is ADHD.
Best wishes on having a happy son, who will soon be a good student.
Daughter has many physical special needs
Question
February 28, 2009
I have an 8 year old daughter with many physical special needs. She does very well in school and reads at a 6th grade level. She loves to watch movies, draw, write, read, play on the computer, and will work on any one of these activities for hours. The problem is, if she doesn't have an activity, she acts out with impulsive noises and inappropriate laughing. She seems to try to control herself but can't. It is much worse at school than at home. It has been implied that she may have ADHD but her symptoms don't really match. Strangely, the onset of the spring season seems to always make it worse too. We are really struggling and would love some input.
Thank you, Hope
Hope - USA
17343
Answer
It seems some school officials say that any child who doesn't fit their mold is ADHD. Your daughter certainly doesn't sound like she is ADHD.
The activities you mention are all solitary activities. Doesn't she have friends to play with? Social interaction is important, even if she has physical special needs. Since school is structured, she probably doesn't get much social interaction there.
Even finding someone she could talk with on the phone would be good for her.
If she is smart, she may also become bored in school. Try to find things at home that will challenge her mind. Also see if the teachers can give her something extra or more difficult to do. It is worth a try to see if boredom is an issue.
It sounds like she is an only child. Often they need to learn to use their imagination and be creative to find things to amuse themselves when there is no one to play with.
Also, I'm not sure what her physical special needs are, but it is good to be as active as possible. With spring coming, kids like to be outdoors, even if they are only watching others play.
I hope these ideas help. Best withes with your daughter, and let me know how things turn out.
Son has been going the wrong direction
Question
February 6, 2009
Dear Sir,
My son is going to take class ten cbsc board exam in march 2009 at Delhi. He has very less concentration.lot of inertia. with a lot of difficulty we have to make him get up in the morning.once he is up then he will never sleep again even after a lot of studies but always with the force of his mother. He finds extremely difficult to do on his own choice.He is flamboyant, loves to dress, move around, talk to girls on phone, mail, music etc,
Difficult for him to play in groups. Last night he came home after 3 hrs. of tuition but after realizing we were away he left home came after 2 hours after lot of smoking only cigarettes. when scolded he cried,became hysteric,said he cant do well. He can never excel in studies etc. etc. Became quite nervous. I am myself M.sc.working in govt sector. mother is lawyer in Delhi. Brilliant, very hard working. Very moralistic. Always more than ready to teach him.
Sometimes she teaches and pushes him through the night till 3 am. No doubt he fully cooperates and studies most of the time happily. But something wrong somewhere. He has started smoking and she is not at all accepting it. Last night when we found him come home after smoking, She had beaten him badly and he reacted by saying and crying that he is not able to study despite maximum try. and because of all this he smokes, etc, etc,
Pl offer us guidance, I am ready to come wherever for 1. our counseling 2. child's if need be.
Thanks,
cp - India
17225
Answer
I assume your son is a teenager. The problem with hyperactive children (ADHD) usually started when they are very young. It sounds more like you son is going through the transitions of a boy in his teens.
Sometimes parents put too much pressure on their children to do well in school, such that the boys will rebel or get anxious. This is especially true when the parents are educated and learn easily. Sometimes educated parents don't realize their children may not have the same skills or interests that they have.
One thing to do is to have some calm talks with your son concerning the things he likes to do and what he would like to do in the future. In this way, you can get a better understanding of what motivates him. Also, parents sometimes know nothing about the interests of their children or judge them poorly. Also, in your conversations, find out what his friends like to do and what their plans are.
It is important that your son has good friends. At his age, friend are often more influential than the parents are.
No matter what your son says he would like to be when he gets older, do not judge him. Accept it and give him support. He will find his way without pressure from his parents.
Many teen boys have no idea of what they want to do or have any thoughts of college and a future. Discussing it will help put the seeds in his mind.
Have him look at our section on "Tricks for Good Grades" at:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/grades.htm
The lessons encourage good study habits, but also allowing for time to have fun with friends. Also tell him to read the Answers to Readers' Questions in each article. They are from other students his age, concerning their issues and problems.
I hope these ideas help. With good parents as you are, I am sure he will find the right direction. He is a good boy but just needs understanding and guidance. Best wishes on his success.
Homeschooling my hyperactive son works well
Question
January 25, 2009
I started homeschooling my son who is 7 years old. He is hyperactive he had so much trouble in school now is fine and he is learning very fast The most important thing to remember is that no one knows your child the way you do. And no one realizes just how important it is to mix learning with fun, love and humor like you do.
There are many advantanges to homeschooling. With more personal attention. Homeschooling is a great to build a family. It allow for great flexibility and security.
Wilma - Bahrain
17153
Answer
Thank you for your comments.
It is almost a fad for teacher to judge some students as hyperactive and uncontrollable. It is good that you were able to get your son on the right track and that he is doing well in learning.
It is true that know one knows their children like their mother. Also, no one has the patience and shows the love to their children like a mother.
But unfortunately, there are also so mothers who want others to take care of managing their children or who blame others for the child's behavior. That is unfortunate for both the child and the mother.
Homeschooling has many advantages, but it is also good for a child to go to a regular school, where they learn to get along with other children and learn to deal with teachers. Learning how to determine what a teacher feels is important and will be on a test is a skill that students need to learn before they go to college.
Best wishes in homeschooling your son. He is fortunate to have a good mother.
My 6-year-old son may have ADHD
Question
January 10, 2009
i have 6 years son i suffer alot with him i try all the was love & hard punishments nothing succeed till now no doctors give me a right discription is he ADHDor not but all of them don't recomend medication is there any medical x rays can be done or any other medical way to be sure of his case ,he has all the symptoms of ADHD but not all the time i think it is peaks
thanks a lot
DR rabab
cairo
rabab - Egypt
17085
Answer
Some 6-year-old boys can be very active and get into much mischief, yet they are not ADHD. A big sign for ADHD is if he cannot play with other boys or cannot keep his attention even to a television show.
Often plenty of physical activity can help to burn off the excess energy. Punishment is not a solution. But you do need to make sure he follows the rules of the home and school. Usually, boys want to obey but get distracted.
Some parents and doctors have tried stimulant medications that have helped control ADHD. Even cola drinks or mild coffee that would get a normal child active has an opposite effect on a child with ADHD.
Note that hyperactive children improve after age 7 and the symptom almost goes away by age 19. But still, the child need encouragement, because he doesn't want to be disliked or lack control.
I hope these ideas help. Best wishes in improving your son's behavior.
Sone may have hyperthyroidism
Question
December 10, 2008
pls let me know how i can change my child attitude towards studies as he is gettind worse in studies .he is having hyperthyroidism,he behaves very arrogant &stuburn
kamar - KSA
16929
Answer
If he has hyperthyroidism, he will be acting nervous, losing weight and having difficulty remembering and paying attention. This is a serious medical problem that must be treated by a doctor.
But if your child is healthy and does not want to study and acts arrogant, you should check who his friends are. Often a boy can get the wrong friends that have a bad influence on him. Also talk to his teacher to find out the source of his problem.
Best wishes on the health and good behavior for your son.
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