Channelling Children’s High Energy

I recently had one of my Power Hour sessions with a parent who had a very energetic child. Whilst they loved their child's playful, fun, and accessible personality and never wanted to change it, they also wanted support to feel more able to manage the challenges that naturally came with it.

How do you know if you have a high-energy child?

Children have plenty of energy, and managing it can be a real challenge, even more so if you have a high-energy child.

I am sure you have all met these children before. They tend to be very active, cheeky and sometimes labelled ‘hyper.’ They do nothing by halves and love running, spinning, jumping, and climbing, seemingly knowing no bounds. Anything and everything can be turned into a game, and play can sometimes end up in them unintentionally taking it ‘too far’ or playing ‘too rough.’

High-energy children need stimuli; it's integral to their development and growth.

Understandably, though, this can be challenging to parent or teach. Sadly, high-energy children are regularly branded as "difficult," with their behaviour being seen as "unruly" or "problematic."

However, like every child with a strong personality, high-energy children are built differently. They have different needs than others, and It’s essential that they know and understand that being different is not bad.  We see it as a superpower!

Instead of focusing on the unwanted behaviour and high energy, channel their struggles by playing to their strengths:

• Highly Active: High-energy children are often naturally inclined to be active and energetic, which can contribute to better physical health. Due to their stamina and enthusiasm, they may excel in sports or other physical activities.
• Creativity and Spontaneity: Their boundless energy often translates into creativity and spontaneity. High-energy children may have vivid imaginations and enjoy exploring new ideas, making them innovative thinkers.
• Leadership Skills: Their enthusiasm and assertiveness can translate into solid leadership skills. High-energy children may take charge in group settings, motivating others and driving projects forward.
• Social Skills: High-energy children are often outgoing and friendly. They may find it easy to make friends and thrive in social situations, as their energy and enthusiasm can be contagious.
• Optimism and Enthusiasm: Their natural exuberance can foster a positive outlook on life. High-energy children often approach new experiences with enthusiasm and are quick to find joy in the world around them.
  Channel these by giving them some jobs and responsibilities. Always make your limits and expectations known (and clear) before a situation arises. Please give gentle reminders and let them know when they can be physically active and play later. High-energy children tend to have a hard time staying focused and concentrating. For this reason, you should allow time for unstructured play and movement between tasks. Turn the tricky task into a game, time them and see how fast they can get it done. Let them climb (safely, of course) to reach something for you, or put something away and encourage them to hand things out in class. These activities will offer a much-needed brain break for children, helping them refocus.

The main thing to remember is that your children are not giving you a hard time when they get distracted or can’t sit still; they are having a hard time. See the feeling behind the behaviour and offer comfort, connection, and support to channel this energy more helpfully. Use every opportunity as a chance to learn and grow together.

We help make BIG feelings child-size, supporting children in learning how to N.A.M.E. their feelings in healthy ways (which stands for Notice, Accept, Manage, and Express).