Best Ways To Structure Your ADHD Child’s Day
#Collaborative post
If your child has ADHD, you can improve their chances of success if you create a consistent daily schedule. Children thrive with consistency and routines, and kids with ADHD may have fewer struggles if they know what to expect each day. Children with ADHD may have problems with peer relationships, school, perseverance, impulsivity and anxiety, so a structured routine could help alleviate some of these symptoms. Here are some best practices.
Setting Your Child Up For Success In The Morning
You can set your child up for success each day by starting the day off with a morning routine. If your child needs ADHD medication for kids, administer the dose at the same time each day. Then, make sure your child gets a satisfying breakfast so hunger isn’t a problem later in the day. Practice getting ready in the morning and teach your child to get their supplies set up and ready to go each morning before school.
Building a Strong Routine
After breakfast and the school run, your child must then have a strong routine in the classroom. Kids with ADHD may need some extra support from classroom teachers, so advocate for your child if you think they need special accommodations. Your child may benefit from having a morning check-in with a staff member to give them a heads-up on what the expectations will be for the day.
Adding Frequent Breaks
Another way you can help your child be more successful each day is to add frequent breaks throughout the routine. This can help calm some anxiety 6 year old symptoms and make your child feel less overwhelmed with their responsibilities at school. Additionally, teachers and staff members should also aim to chunk a student’s work and give them extra time for more support.
Rewarding Good Behavior
Consider offering rewards for your child’s behavior throughout the day to help reinforce positive attitudes. Kids with ADHD may also struggle with their self-worth, especially if they think they can’t do anything right. Instead, promote positive self-talk and build up that confidence by finding ways to reward them. Offer positive praise, stickers, toys and other items that help a child with ADHD realize they are being a success.
Calming Nightime Routine
At the end of the day, you and your family should work together to create a calming routine at night. Kids with ADHD may struggle to wind down and that could impact their sleeping habits and cause them to be tired each day. Consider checking out natural remedies for anxiety in children to help your child feel calmer and more relaxed at night. Limit screen time right before bed so your child can fall asleep faster. Use a white noise machine and create a calming bedroom environment for your child.
ADHD makes it more difficult for children to function in daily activities and school. One tool that offers some support for these kids is purposeful scheduling. Structuring your child’s day can help them improve their work habits and routine. This is a great way to push your child toward success.
