Ways I Help My Six-Year Old Child with ADHD Cope in First Grade

It can take quite a bit out of you talking to my six-year old daughter with ADHD. She can change the subject instantly, which can confuse you quite well unless you’re adept to speaking her language. Conversation isn’t the only aspect of her life that is constantly in motion. Because of her lack of focus in school, we’ve had to develop means to help her. These few changes in our life have moved her from being behind the rest of her class to maintaining a reasonable level of education.

1. Routine – We have a strict regimen of what we do throughout the day. As soon as we walk in the door after school, it’s homework time. We sit down and go over what needs to be done. Once homework is out of the way, then we can play. I stress how important having a schedule is, even for Mommy and Daddy. If we can’t keep our schedule, it can alter how the day evolves. Although she is six, she understands this importance and has reminded me a few times of things I forgot myself.

2. The Day Planner – The school my daughter attends constitutes a day planner that the students bring home in order to show if there is homework or not. If your school doesn’t use something like this, you should ask the teacher if you could. For my daughter, it is a way to remind her of what needs to be done. Sometimes she doesn’t pay close enough attention and doesn’t realize the extent of what her homework consists of.

3. Curriculum – As a parent, it’s a great convenience to obtain the curriculum for the school year and know what to expect. Using this guide of what is being taught during any particular quarter, we can develop home activities that relate to what she is learning in school. Without realizing it, she is essentially studying the same material through games or even movies in some cases. As she enjoys playing on the family tablets, we’ll also download apps that are in conjunction with what she is currently learning.

4. Dietary Changes – We’ve noticed a profound change in both of our daughters when it comes to specific foods. Our eight-year old daughter has a problem with anger, unless she eats more proteins during the day. Our six-year old with ADHD seems to be more focused if we reduce the breads and starches and increase berries and fruits in her diet. It is still a work in progress, but we are seeing the difference in behaviors from simply changing what we classify as food. Instead of chocolate or candy, our six-year old snacks on strawberries and blueberries.

5. Exercise – As she is a bundle of energy needing an outlet, we try to provide more physical activity throughout the day. For days that are too stormy to go out and play, we utilize the Wii and Xbox Kinect – which does wonders on reducing her energy levels. The days she plays her favorite games on the Kinect are the days we have less arguments over bedtime.

Each child is different, and what works for my daughter may not work for yours. However, we’ve had a great deal of success with these tactics and are ever changing in order to provide her with the best chance to an education. Adaptation is part of parenting, and you may have to be a quick thinker in order to adjust.

Author Bio:

Stephanie has many years of experience as a nanny. She has always loved children and has continuously been involved in childcare activities. Currently she is one of the writers for houstonnanny.com. If you want to get in touch with her, you can email her at stephanie. Houstonnanny @ gmail. com.

See Also:

• Michael Phelps, Most Decorated Athlete in Olympic History, Beat ADHD Too!
• AD/HD Success! Solutions for Boosting Self-Esteem: The Diary Method for Ages 7-17