Sitting is still difficult for very young children. For children with ADHD, sitting still is a no-brainer. Most schools now use an activity called circle time to teach children all kinds of academic subjects. While sitting in a circle is better than being strapped to a desk, for kids with ADHD, this is still a challenging school activity.
Fortunately, there are strategies and devices that help all kids stay engaged during episode time, and for kids with ADHD, these strategies can mean the difference between learning and sitting “out” for most of the day. This list of suggestions can help all primary school are children and may be useful for use in preschool children.
Before sitting in a circle, children should be allowed to engage in some form of gross motor activity (eg stretching, jumping, jacking). This may be necessary not only 2-5 minutes before circle time but may also be necessary during this time if the amount of time children are expected to be still is greater than 20 minutes. Babies with a lot of energy may need to run longer than 5 minutes, and if a rest break can be scheduled before having to sit still, disruptions will be reduced.
All children need a break, preferably in a green space. We know from countless studies that both green spaces, such as tree-lined parks and playgrounds, and physical activity will improve hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and inattention for ADHD. All children benefit from green spaces and exercise, but for children with ADHD, twenty to thirty minutes of active outdoor play is just as important as medical treatment in their treatment.
The trend in many schools is to eliminate recess but most teachers come in to find that skipping recess is counterproductive and all children are more alert after a break in the fresh air. Parents of children with ADHDF should insist that their child’s school include a break in fresh air in their curriculum.
Once circle time rolls around, a little doodle book can keep the hyperactive child occupied as well as a quiet “job.” Some teachers give nervous children a stack of crayons and ask them to sort them by color, and other children are asked to sharpen pencils in the classroom. The rubber bands can be sorted by color and the markers can be organized and wrapped with rubber bands. Creative educators have found that giving active children a “job” during ring time can keep children attentive and engaged.
Some schools have had great success with “talking sticks” during episode time. For impulsive ADHD kids, that reminder 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 because many young children do not intuitively know the expectations. Children with ADHD may be particularly unaware of teacher expectations, and clear, age-appropriate guidelines regarding circle time rules are essential if children are going to learn during this school activity.
Many school-age children with ADHD find it difficult 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 each child in the classroom.