As someone who has loved ones members working in elementary school systems in various parts of the country, I can see the increasing reported cases of ADHD and more severe behavioral problems cropping up in young children of varying ages, economic classes, races, and ethnic groups.
My own mother told me of a second-grader at her school that threw a tantrum so severe that it took four adults to restrain him to preserve him from hurting himself or others.
Now, I will be the 1st to emphasize the fact that I am not a specialist. Certainly some of these children have very serious problems that need to be addressed by psychiatrists and physicians and perhaps even prescribed medication to assist maintain some issues under control. But in my personal opinion, children need a lot more opportunities to unleash each creative and physical energy.
Tight government budgets have spelled out the doom of a lot of fundamental school programs. Music, physical education, art, and elementary gifted programs in public schools have begun to suffer or have disappeared altogether from some schools.
While it’s definitely worthwhile petitioning and contributing to keep all of these programs in place, it truly is also important that you step as much as the plate with your own child to ensure that they’ve an intellectually enriching and physically motivating environment at home.
We all know how hard this could be because unfortunately, we all have demands on our time beyond our children and families. But you can still do your part by both encouraging and supplying.
By providing, I mean make the arts accessible in your property. Supply paints, crayons, coloring books and drawing paper. Select age-appropriate music and play it for your children. Sing together with them to the radio on the way to school. And, as your children grow older, introduce them to new music that will interest them in new ways.
Often, depending on peer groups and other types of exposure to dictate your child’s taste in music as well as the arts will instill in your children questionable values that you might strive to undo later. It will be far better to take the time to establish your standards early on.
Encourage each of your children to unleash the power of their imagination as a response towards the various arts they enjoy. This will help them develop a lifelong appreciation of and connection to the arts.
Your children should also have a love for good, clean fun. Think about enrolling them in club sports. If this is out of your budget, then collaborate with neighborhood parents to arrange play dates that include physical activities, even if you’ll find just a few games of tag.
Regular cardiovascular exercise not only helps fend off childhood obesity; it promotes positive brain activity and helps children focus in the classroom. Do your part to petition for regular recesses at your child’s school, and then take time to encourage your children to use the time to play offered sports or other physical games with their friends.
Children who develop and maintain a balance of solid academics, artistic pursuits, and physical activity are far more likely to turn into balanced adults. But what is most important is the parental involvement and encouragement!
