ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a child disorder that is characterized by inability to concentrate and perform tasks at hand as a result of poor attention, and hyperactive and impulsive behaviour. But it is very important to note that lack of attention and hyperactive behaviour are very common in pre-school children and unless his behaviours are extreme and hinder him from functioning well, performing tasks or establishing friendships and relationships with other people, it cannot be diagnosed as ADHD.

So before you rush to make an appointment with a child psychologist and have your kid checked up for ADHD, try these tips first and observe if there are any improvements in his behaviour:

1. Positive parental support and guidance. If your kid is being all rambunctious and too active for his own good, there is a possibility that he’s just doing these to catch your attention. There is a chance that you may be too busy with work, too caught up with all the household chores that you unconsciously overlook him and he feels neglected.

And because he sees that bad behaviour like running around all day catches your attention, he does this because he longs for your love and care. If this is so, try spending more time with him, talking to him, playing with him. This will let him know that hyperactivity is not the only way to get you to spend time with him.

2. Instil on him the value of listening. Kids are overly energetic and it’s hard for them to listen to long durations of talks. While it’s normal that he fidgets around while you talk about the importance of personal hygiene or you teach him about how to organize his toys, you must make him learn also about the importance of listening.

When he tells you about something, try not to hear him out or try to look bored. And then ask him afterwards how he felt when you did not want to listen to what he’s saying and that you feel the same way when he does the same thing to you. Tell him that it’s important to be a good listener and that it’s not polite to fidget and squirm when someone’s talking.

3. Give him interesting playsets that will keep occupied. Sometimes, we tend to overlook the possibility that maybe your kid just wants something new that’s why he’s being naughty. Buy him wooden play sets that will surely keep him occupied and entertained for hours.

What’s great about these waiting room toys is that they offer endless possible activities. This is why kids are not the easily bored with them. For example, the Childrens Play Sets like the 6-in-1 learning cube has six different sides (meaning that’s six different activities) that your kid will surely enjoy playing with.

And most importantly, the kidkraft 5-sided activity cart will not only keep your kid occupied, but also work to enhance skills that are essential in his development such as motor skills, creativity and imagination, hand to eye coordination, shape and color recognition and spatial concepts.

4. Reinforce proper behaviour. Whenever you see him do something good, like behave or listen to you attentively, be sure that he knows that you appreciate him by giving him praises or giving him a hug or a kiss and of course a thank you.