Help for kids with ADHD during the dreaded school circle time
Sitting still can be difficult for very young children. For kids with ADHD, sitting still can be impossible. Most schools now use an activity called circle time to instruct children in all kinds of academic subjects. While sitting in a circle is better than being tied to a desk, for kids with ADHD, this is still a difficult school activity.
Fortunately, there are strategies and devices that help all kids stay engaged during circle time, and for kids with ADHD, these strategies can mean the difference between learning and sitting in a “time out” spot most of the day. day. This list of suggestions can help all children in elementary school and can even be useful for use with preschool children.
Before sitting in a circle, children should be allowed to engage in some form of gross motor activity (eg, stretching, jumping jacks). This may be necessary not only 2-5 minutes before circle time, but may also be necessary during this time if children are expected to be still for more than 20 minutes. High-energy children may need to run for more than 5 minutes and if a break can be scheduled just before sitting still, interruptions will be minimized.
All children need a break for recess, preferably in a green space. We know from countless studies that both green spaces, such as parks and wooded playgrounds, and physical activity will improve the hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and inattention of ADHD. All children benefit from green spaces and exercise, but for children with ADHD, twenty to thirty minutes of active play outside is just as important to their therapy as medical treatment.
The trend in many schools is to eliminate recess, but most teachers are realizing that skipping recess is counterproductive and that all children are more attentive after a break outdoors. Parents of children with ADHDF should insist that their child’s school include an outdoor break in its curriculum.
Once circle time has begun, a small doodle pad can keep a hyperactive child busy as well as a quiet “job.” Some teachers give restless children a stack of crayons and ask them to sort them by color, other children are asked to sharpen the class pencils. Rubber bands can be sorted by color and bookmarks can be organized and wrapped in rubber bands. Creative teachers have found that giving active children a “job” during circle time can keep children attentive and engaged.
Some schools have had great success using ‘talking sticks’ during circle time. For impulsive kids with ADHD, this reminder of when it’s not appropriate to talk can be a powerful and helpful tool. It is also important for the teacher to communicate to the children what activity is acceptable during circle time, as many young children do not intuitively know what the expectations are. Children with ADHD can be especially unaware of teacher expectations, and clear, age-appropriate instruction regarding circle time rules is essential for children to learn during this school activity.
Many school-age children with ADHD find it hard to sit still during circle time. The school and classroom strategies described above can help make circle time an educational, relaxing, and productive time for all children in the classroom.