Very active 6 yr old girl!

Wendy - posted on 10/15/2013

I personally do not think that ADHD exists and feel that children are being over analysed by the psychiatric profession. Your daughter sounds like a normal healthy child. Not wanting to sit still for hours and talking a lot are typical and natural ways children behave. There is still no scientific medical test which proves any child has ADHD. Please read the book "The ADHD Fraud :How psychiatry makes patients of normal children" by Fred Baughman MD and Neurologist. Not all doctors accept ADHD as a genuine condition !

User - posted on 10/15/2013

my son's teacher raised money through donorschoose.org to buy 6 exercise balls for his more active students. Gently bouncing on their seat and balancing the ball as they work allows for more movement while they focus. He also does unconventional things like letting them walk around the room as they spell or recite things. As a male teacher, he is especially sensitive to the boys and their inherent need to move around at 6 years old - which can apply to ALL 6 year olds. The other thing I have done to help my son is cut out processed foods especially things with red dye - they seem to be linked to hyperactivity. I notice a difference when he has too many fake popsicles or a gatorade after soccer which has artificial dyes.

La Tisce - posted on 10/14/2013

I had this same problem with my son's kindergarten teacher, she would constantly tell me that my son had a problem staying still after completing assignment's. The school quickly wanted to say he had ADHD, as his mother I knew this was not the problem. After talking to my son, I found out that he was bored in class. He would finish his work before the rest of the class and had nothing to do. Having a 5 or 6 year old sit still waiting for everyone else to catch up is hard. I convinced to the teacher to give my son more challenging work. That was 3 years ago and since he has excelled in school and was skipped a grade. I refused to let the school label and give him medication since he was smarter and more advanced than the other children his age.

Bee - posted on 10/18/2013

Teachers must remember that their classrooms are made up with different types of flowers (kids). Each flower learns differently. Some kids need to let out more energy than others. Kids in early- elementary should be in a controlled environment to be able to move around. Some kids like to read on the carpet. While other may enjoy staying at their desk the entire day. Kids that are more active than other should not be viewed as problems. It should be up to the teachers to possess skills to motivate and teach all of the flowers in the garden even the active ones. Sometimes, teachers focus on the child's behavior and not their lack of ability to teach and capture any type of student. It's called "Diversity". Teaching is truly a "gift". Your daughter is a lovely flower. The teacher may not be a match for your flower. That doesn't mean the teacher is bad. She may not be connecting or capturing your daughter's attention. Hang in there. It gets better...

Fran - posted on 10/16/2013

If she is reading and writing above her grade she may be functioning at a higher level of thinking than her classmates and be bored because she understands what is being taught well before the lesson is finished. Does her school have an accelerated learning program? Maybe you could try talking to her teacher again. Good luck.

Tricia - posted on 03/05/2014

Some of these responses are just not very informative. I'm not a professional but you don't want to have your child doing things that are going to be distracting to the other students and at the same time help her. I'd suggest maybe she could start taking notes on the lessons being discussed but 1st grade lessons can't be all that much worth writing notes on but maybe something along those lines can help her to keep her mind on the teachers instructions and not on being bored. Does she like to draw? Maybe she could draw out pictures of what's being talked about does the teacher get her students involved in the lessons? That would be something else you should look into. Above all else you don't need her distracted with prizes or rewards that will only create another problem and there are always the other students to consider and you don't want to single her out from the rest of her class mates either. Hope you found a helpful solution.

Monica - posted on 01/15/2014

I just had my third baby boy and I am devastated still. I was really hoping and praying to have a baby girl. My heart aches all the time.

Lisa - posted on 12/20/2013

Totally agree with you Mom !!! I had a teacher have a conference with me to suggest I have my son put on Ritalin. (which was totally illegal for her to do !!) She even had her daughter, now in college, there to testify! I refused to have my son diagnosed as such because I knew he was just ALL BOY !!! he later went on to be a crew chief of one of 29 U2 reconnaissance planes in the world. He would have been refused entrance in the military if he had as a child been on psychotic drugs such as Ritalin.
People don't seem to want to let children be children any more. Children NEED space to be active.
If this teacher cannot handle your daughter, re-assign her to a teacher who is capable !!
Lisa Lyons, DrMomCEO.com

Kim - posted on 12/18/2013

I see you have had a big response however I thought I would drop my tuppence in as well.
I am training in early year education and development for children aged 0-8 in the UK.
I have seen this behaviour a lot, it is something that comes with time however a good incentive is a mat for her to sit on, it could have Disney princesses or a favourite animal. Your little girl could always receive a marble for every 5 mins of good sitting, she could receive a marble In the jar. At ..... marbles she receives an in school reward. Talk to her teacher about positive reinforcement for her and a small carpet.

Stacey - posted on 12/17/2013

Well my daughter was the same and when a child is bored, they will act out so what I did is I asked the teacher can she bring workbooksso she can do them when she got bored. The teacher loved the idea, and tried it and she had no more problems with my child acting up.

Christine - posted on 12/13/2013

have you ever thought that her being a little heard of her class she might be getting board with things. i have a friend of the family when their daughter started 1st grade she was the same way. when they tested her for her skill level she was read and doing things at a 4th grade level. she they endd up moving her up a grade and giveing her work that was a little more harder and she is doing better.

Jennifer - posted on 12/09/2013

As a 1st grade teacher, I can tell you that your child probably is typical! Many kids do not sit down in my classroom. We are very active - rug time, move to the math board, move to our desks, back to the rug...We take many brain breaks during the day where we play an active game - just to get moving for a minute. I have 2 students this year who stand at their desk (no chair at all), 2 that constantly move around and some that alternate between sitting and standing. I require sitting at some points during the day, for practice, but am very lenient otherwise. Read Michael Gurian for information.
BTW, your teacher has no business telling you your child might have ADD. (S)he is NOT a trained doctor.

Melanie - posted on 12/07/2013

I believe if she says she is bored, she is. Bored means different things to different people. The trick is to find what kind of learner she is. If the school can modify programming in the class for children who are having difficulty learning, then it would also make sense to have modified programming for children who need more stimulation. Can you ask her teacher to gather a few extra books or activities in a bin for your child to do at her desk or table while the rest of the students are on the carpet? If she gets your daughter to help her put some things together, then she will have things that she likes to do in the bin. If she is within earshot of what the teacher is saying, she will be able to see and hear what is going on with the rest of the class and can work quietly on a related activity. That may help to solve the problem. I notice with the children that I work with that they tend to join the class on the carpet after a short time at the table. If they want to participate in the activity on the carpet, they must go to the carpet and sit with the class. That usually brings them back to the carpet faster. If they are at the table, they must not make any noise that will be disruptive to the teacher and students on the carpet. They only like that for so long and then want to be back with their friends. It should be a choice that she can make at any time during the carpet time and should always be a choice, not a consequence. It must remain a positive experience. Your daughter will show through her actions what is working and what is not. As long as everyone is willing to keep trying different things, it will all work out in the end.

Gina - posted on 12/06/2013

If she is bored consider having her IQ tested. See if they have enrichment programs within the school that your daughter might be eligible for. Don't be afraid to disagree with the teacher (these days it seems everywhere I look people are asking us to medicate our children younger and younger). See a Pediatrician that specializes in children with ADD to see what they have to say about it.

Angela - posted on 12/06/2013

We had the same problem with my son in first grade (it sounds like they could be twins). He told us all the time he was bored. He'd get up and walk around the class to help other kids, which was distracting for everyone but him. He's involved in football, tae kwon do, and Sparks so he too is used to structure. I don't know what to tell you other than he did get better at it. I asked his doctor about ADD and she said he was a normal 6/7 year old. I know it's frustrating but I think she will outgrow it as she gets older. He is in 2nd grade this year and there hasn't been problems with him not sitting still during class. He still says he is bored but he had learned to be more still.

Mariya - posted on 12/03/2013

Is your daughter involved in any sports? If she is very active (or bored / not challenged enough with classroom materials), maybe engaging her with some activity that is non-repetitive and requires creativity would be a good idea (e.g., rhythmic gymnastics). She will be able to spend the energy and hopefully be challenged.

Shantel - posted on 12/02/2013

Your daughter sounds like she is just gifted not ADHD especially since there are no problems at home. To the people that believe ADHD does not exist-how do you know? Are you ADHD? If not, then do not assume you know how people with this disorder feel. My husband and son both are ADHD and it has been proven to be genetic. Also brain scans have been done on children with ADHD versus children without and the results are very different. Children with ADHD have about a two year lag on brain maturity than same age peers without ADHD. Just because some doctor wrote a book trying to disprove it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Try living with two family members that have it and watch the pain and frustration they have to go through every day then tell me it doesn't exist. Until you have actually experienced something yourself please do not say it doesn't exist. Educate yourself a little more on the latest research and don't judge until you've walked in someone else's shoes.

Melanie - posted on 12/02/2013

Hi:

I work in a Kindergarten class as an Educational Assistant. I have been working in the school system for 14 years. My suggestion to you is to ask the teacher if your child can have a small flat cushion to sit on while on the floor (a sit upon). It will provide your child with a specific spot to sit while the learning is going on. The cushion can be placed in a spot of their choice on the floor area. If you had several available for other students, it would not make it a 'thing' for your child. If your school has an occupational therapist, they may be able to provide a round flat rubber disk that holds just a bit of air for comfort while sitting. Those disks are made specifically for this purpose. I have also worked with a child who was not comfortable on the floor due to his weight and we provided a small chair for him to sit. That worked very well also. Hope this helps. :)

Sally - posted on 11/30/2013

She's a perfectly normal kid. Sadly, school isn't actually about getting an education as the propaganda claims. Our public school system was set up (and made mandatory) to provide "a docile workforce". (If you don't believe me, look it up. The people who set up the system were not at all shy about being publicly quoted on it.) If you're not willing to become a mindless automaton (or at least pretend to be one), it will be very hard to get along well there.
Your options are to have them complain to you until she either graduates or gives in, let them drug and/or discipline her into submission, or take her out of school and let her learn at home. Most kids do a lot better academically (and socially) outside of the bureaucracy and letting them learn at home is a lot easier than most people want to believe. When you can get rid of the crowd control, administrative paperwork, and busywork and tailor the lesson to the child, a week of "school" can be covered in 2-3 hours. Then you have the rest of the week to go to the park or the museum or the library or just play in the backyard. Most younger kids learn more from just being kids than from being in an "educational environment" anyway.
Good luck

Krystall - posted on 11/29/2013

I'm not gonna say that it's not ADHD, but it could certainly be other things. Some times kids who aren't being challenged enough act out our have trouble focusing out of boredom. I've seen preschoolers skip to kindergarten for this reason and become totally different kids. Maybe there is away save can be more involved during this time to keep her interested.

Ivy - posted on 11/27/2013

I agree with Chris that she could be bored. If your child is gifted, she may have the same symptoms as a child with ADHD and just be terribly bored. You can pay a psychiatrist (might cost around $200) to find out which one it is, if either. Please do NOT just let the school convince you it's ADHD. Gifted children are very frequently misdiagnosed and medicated. Years later, they are no longer gifted. They learn to sit in a classroom mindlessly and daydream. Statistically, it is common for gifted children to be diagnosed with behavioral problems or ADD/ADHD. My son had a similar problem in first grade. In second, he was found to have a high IQ. By third, he was in gifted. He got bored in that class. He then skipped a grade and entered a better gifted program. He stopped getting in trouble altogether (overnight). You owe it to yourself and your child to find out the truth.

Donealia - posted on 11/04/2013

Being ADD or ADHD doesn't mean you cant be smart. In fact many people I know are ADHD and are extremely intelligent, including my own daughter who was diagnosed through a very long testing and observation screening. Take her to get a full official exam for ADD. That way you can get and IEP which will allow her to have tools in class to help her sit still and focus(example pressure pillow for her lap). Also make sure she is in the right school for her. My daughter goes to an alternative highly respected public school that allows her to move all she needs and they make sure she has what ever tools she needs in class. Also many times when these kind of kids look like they aren't paying attention because they wont stop moving, its not true my daughter actually is able to focus more on what the teacher is saying if she doesn't have to struggle to sit still.

User - posted on 11/04/2013

I am a mother of 7 and a retired pre school teacher I have had several that just can't sit still at circle time some would use a weighted lap pad that just goes over their lap and keeps them grounded there is a pattern on the internet that uses beans as a filler or rice very easy to make and just gives them the extra that it takes to stay still for a short period of time. the other kids never even noticed once in a while someone would ask to have one but we would just tell them their mother had to make it and bring it and ask us to let them use it just like anything else.

Charlie - posted on 11/03/2013

I would ask the head teacher if you could sit in the back of the room and watch what she does through out the day in class. See what the teacher is like and also how different she is to the other kids. It could be she's like my 5year old girl. Whi is constantly enthusiastic about writing drawing and reading but has no interest in other things at school

Dannica - posted on 11/02/2013

I have ADD and am and always been exactly like that. It doesn't mean you can NEVER focus just that its harder at certain times than others. Its not all or nothing. Take her to a educational diagnostic and have her tested if you're worried. She may need meds or to learn techniques that will work to keep her mind where it needs to be. Other than getting professional help id just say to relax. She's a good kid and student.

Juleene - posted on 11/01/2013

my seven year old is the same way however so was I at that age. I was diagnosed with ADHD and I will readily acknowledge that my attention span is non existent as is my daughter's. Just like you I keep her active in sports and other activities but she never seems to calm down however when she reads, colors or is playing a game she instantly focuses and will stay still for hours. I asked her doctor if her inability to focus means she has some form of ADD/ADHD and it was a resounding NO! he explained to me that because she is so much more advanced at her age in reading etc. she becomes bored quickly and will find things to entertain herself. His suggestion was that I challenge her on a higher intellectual plane and see if she responds. I have done that and I found that the more intellectually challenged she is the less likely she is to be restless. Believe me when I say I know and understand the frustration but patience on your part will also go a long way.

Theodora - posted on 10/31/2013

My daughter is 7. I have ADD as does her father and her 2 step brothers. My daughter benefited greatly before she was on meds from a 504 plan. One of the provisions in her plan includes her having a seat cushion where she can rock back and forth but not bother her classmates. She alsohasaccommodations of a movement break which is different from recess a couple of times a day. These 2 things make a big difference without meds.

TIA - posted on 10/30/2013

LORI,
I ALSO HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THE AMPHETAMINE SALTS MY SON WAS PRESCRIBED. ASK THE PHARMACIST OR YOUR DOCTOR TO TELL YOU MORE ABOUT HOW IT WORKS AND WHY. IT SHOULD HELP CALM YOUR FEARS.

HOWEVER, ANY TIME MEDICATION CAN BE AVOIDED THROUGH THERAPY IT SHOULD BE. THERE SHOULD BE ANOTHER SOURCE OF TREATMENT AVAILABLE TO YOU. ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT IT. DON'T GET DISCOURAGED BY THE WORD THERAPIST. THERAPISTS DON'T JUST TREAT CRAZIES. (THINK ABOUT THE PHYSICAL OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS). THEY CAN HELP BY OFFERING WAYS TO DEAL WITH AND CHANGE THE BEHAVIORS THAT INTERFERE WITH QUALITY OF LIFE .

IN SOME CASES THE DOSE CAN BE LOWERED BY SUPPLEMENTING TREATMENT WITH OTHER FORMS OF THERAPY. ALSO ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT "DRUG HOLIDAYS".

SOME THINGS SOUND HORRIBLY SCARY. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT INVOLVES OUR KIDS. NEVER LET THE DOCTOR LEAVE THE ROOM UNTIL THEY HAVE ANSWERED ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS. IF THEY DON'T ANSWER THEM IN A WAY YOU CAN UNDERSTAND...GET A DIFFERENT DOCTOR.

THE BEST THING I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO FOR MY SON IS ASKING HIS DOCTOR TO LOWER THE DOSE WHEN IT SEEMED TO BE TOO MUCH AND OPTING TO NOT USE IT IN THE AFTERNOON. HIS MEDICINE ONLY WORKS FOR 6-8 HOURS. JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GET HIM THROUGH SCHOOL. I RELY ON PATIENCE TO GET THROUGH OUR EVENINGS. MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ALSO HELPS. A LITTLE GAME LIKE PSP, NINTENDO DS, OR A TABLET LIKE IPAD OR NOOK IS GREAT FOR WHEN I HAVE TO RUN ERRANDS OR JUST WANT TO EAT IN PUBLIC.
THAT MOMENT WHEN I NOTICE HE IS MENTALLY WANDERING OFF...YOU MAY BE ABLE TO NOTICE THIS ALREADY. TO KEEP HIM ON TRACK I KEEP HIM MOVING. IF HE GETS THAT LOOK I REDIRECT HIS ATTENTION BY TALKING TO HIM. USUALLY I GIVE HIM THE NEXT SET OF DIRECTIONS TO WHAT HE IS ALREADY DOING. SOMETIMES I JUST ASK HIM TO "HELP" ME DO WHAT I AM DOING. EITHER WAY IT GIVES HIM SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT FOR THE NEXT FEW SECONDS.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS NOTICED THIS OR NOT BUT...WHEN HE IS REALLY TIRED HE LOSES HIS MIND. IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS REALLY HYPER. ITS LIKE HE CANT EVEN HEAR ME. AT THAT POINT I KNOW THE ONLY THING THAT WILL HELP IS SLEEP. I DON'T EVEN TRY TO FIGHT THAT BATTLE FOR THE SAKE OF MY SANITY AND HIS SAFETY.

YOU CAN DO THIS LORI.

Lori - posted on 10/30/2013

I have custody of my granddaughter who is 8 yr. old and was just diagnosed from her Pediatrician with ADD. She is in the 3rd grade and has a lot of problems focusing in the classroom and at home. The doctor prescribed Vyvanse which scares me. From what I have researched, this drug is a amphetamine. I, too, am looking for alternatives.

Any thoughts?

Chris - posted on 10/29/2013

keep on the teacher Carole as I would wonder if she was picking on her too. make sure at these meetings that the principal is present or see the principal to express any concerns you have. perhaps she can be moved to another class for a time to see how that works out.
I agree that at snack time she should be allowed to socialize

Chris - posted on 10/29/2013

maybe she is bored
my youngest son was like this and people suggested he was hyperactive and I disagreed. I was right.
your child is just a bright child and perhaps the lesson is the problem but I am sure she is not the only child being restless in class. some teachers are quick to blame.
I talked to my child and asked that he sit respectfully in class as there was plenty of time to move around later. he learnt wen to move and wen to not move.
also I had a child that was 'perfect' in the eyes of the teacher. he actually had dyslexia so not really sure how teachers assess kids, go figure!
if you are really concerned have your daughter assessed by a paediatrician to make certain, I wouldn't recommend medication though
keep up the good work with your child

Jo-anne - posted on 10/28/2013

My 6yo son is like this. He is very intelligent and top of the class in reading and maths, but he finds it very hard to sit still. He fiddles with shoelaces/clothing/whatever is nearby. He has Asperger's. Sometimes Asperger's can be confused for ADHD/ADD or other behavioural conditions. I'm a teacher and in my experience you can usually tell ADHD by a child's inability to focus, even when they are trying really hard to do so. Asperger's can be overlooked, because those on the higher end of the spectrum can appear mostly neurotypical apart from a few quirks/behaviours. I've known several Asperger's kids (through teaching) who have that need to get up and walk around, especially if they're experiencing sensory overload..

Your best bet, whatever the case, is to get a referral (from your child's doctor) to see a paediatrician and get her assessed. The assessment my son went through at the beginning of this year took into consideration a range of disorders (ADHD, Asperger's, anxiety, etc) and he ticked all the boxes for Asperger's. And if it turns out she's completely neurotypical you can give the teacher some proof (and also have a good talk to your daughter about sitting still in class). P.S. Have you asked your daughter WHY she can't sit still? It might give you some hints as to the reasoning for her behaviour.

TIA - posted on 10/28/2013

MENTAL DISORDERS AND/ OR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS DO NOT=STUPID

GET HER EVALUATED. THE EVALUATION INCLUDES YOU, THE DOCTOR, THE TEACHER AND ANY OTHER TEACHER OR FACULTY YOU WISH TO BE A PART OF THE EVALUATION. THEN YOUR DOCTOR WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW YOUR CHILD RANKS FOR ADD/ADHD. MEDICATION SHOULD NOT BE ADMINISTERED UNTIL 2ND OR 3RD GRADE UNLESS YOU ARE EXPERIENCING REALLY BIG PROBLEMS. SO EVEN IF THE TEACHER WANTS A BUNCH OF ZOMBIES IT WONT HAPPEN JUST BECAUSE SHE SAYS SO.

MY SON HAS A BEHAVIOR PROBLEM. HE HAD A HORRIBLE YEAR IN KINDERGARTEN. HIS TEACHER WAS TERRIBLE. SHE DIDN'T EVEN TELL ME HOW MUCH TROUBLE HE WAS IN ON A DAILY BASIS UNTIL I CAME IN FOR THE FIRST PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE. THIS YEAR HE IS IN KINDERGARTEN AGAIN WITH A MUCH BETTER TEACHER. HE HAS NOT HAD AS BIG OF A PROBLEM AT SCHOOL. (EVEN BEFORE MEDICATION STARTED.)

HOWEVER, I HAD HIM ACCESSED ANYWAY. HE WAS OFF THE CHARTS ON IMPULSE CONTROL AND A FEW OTHER THINGS. I NEVER NOTICED BECAUSE HE IS MY ONLY CHILD AND I HAVE NO OTHER CHILD TO COMPARE HIM TO. TO ME HE WAS NORMAL. HE WAS JUST THE WAY MY KID WAS. TURNS OUT I HAVE BEEN ADAPTING TO HIM AND PUTTING A LOT OF ENERGY INTO CARING FOR HIM.

ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT MANY OF THE STEREOTYPES FOR ADD/ADHD ARE NOT TRUE. THESE KIDS CAN BE VERY SMART (MINE IS.) THEY ALSO CAN SIT STILL FOR A LONG TIME IF THEY ARE FULLY ENGAGED IN SOMETHING (LIKE VIDEO GAMES AND MOVIES.) MY LITTLE GUY LOVES TO READ AS WELL. WHEN THEY GET BORED THEY FIND SOMETHING TO DO. KIDS THAT DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM ARE ALSO BORED BUT THEY DON'T WANDER OFF BECAUSE OF THE IMPULSE CONTROL. THE BRACELET THING WORKS BECAUSE SHE HAS SOMETHING TO FOCUS ON THAT SHE LIKES. INSTEAD OF WANDERING OFF TO FIND SOMETHING INTERESTING. I HAVE BEEN LETTING MY LITTLE GUY TAKE THINGS IN HIS POCKETS LIKE A LITTLE PIECE OF FABRIC.

IF YOU HAVE HER EVALUATED AND YOUR DOCTOR TELL YOU SHE IS ADD/ADHD PLEASE KNOW IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE SUCH A GOOD MOM THAT YOU NEVER HAVE NOTICED ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR CHILD THAT WOULD LEAD YOU TO BELIEVE SHE HAS A "PROBLEM". DRUGS ARE NOT THE ONLY ANSWER TO ADD/ADHD. THERE ARE OTHER THERAPIES THAT DO NOT INVOLVE DRUGS.

I NEVER KNEW ANYTHING WAS DIFFERENT.

KEEP BEING A SUPER AWESOME MOM AND NO MATTER WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON YOUR LITTLE GIRL WILL BE OK.

Tash - posted on 10/24/2013

Try home schooling it's alot easier then it sounds I home school all my girls u till grade 10 there ages 2,4,14,&18

Carole - posted on 10/24/2013

Thank everyone for your comments/suggestions/help!! She is doing better in class, she wears one of these "loom bracelets" and when she is getting bored she plays with it on her wrist to help her sit still.
I also bought her a "workbook" with math/reading and she is able to sit still for over 1/2 working in it, its actually hard to get her to stop! lol She is still way ahead in reading and writing so I really think its just a matter of her not being challenged enough. We have another meeting with her teacher in Nov, so hoping we can figure something out.
But I just cant get over the feeling that her teacher is picking on her just a little, we got a note home that she got up 4 times during snack time to talk to her friends...I don't have a problem with that since it is free time to socialize! Its almost like she needs to tell us everything she does wrong instead of the times she's doing well. Guess that's something else to bring up at the next meeting...

Sheila - posted on 10/23/2013

My son was also 6 in the first grade last year, I would get calls at home almost every day from the teacher saying that my son needed to be tested for ADHD and on med's. I fought with her all year telling her that my son was not. This year he is doing great in school and I have not had one phone call from the school. Trust your instinct you know your child best, there are a lot of teachers that want zombies in their class to make there job easier. BTW my son does great at home also, and is advanced in his reading and comprehension.

Nichole - posted on 10/22/2013

I agree with the other moms and say that she may truly be bored. She may need to be challenged more academically. My daughter was the same way in 1st grade but for her it wasn't because she was bored. Now she's in 2nd grade and is doing great. It may also just be a phase that she will grow out of. But do look into if there is a gifted and talented program for your daughter. Hope everything goes well for you both.

Timikia - posted on 10/21/2013

She may be ADHD get her evaluated.

Lindsay - posted on 10/21/2013

I'm going through the EXACT same thing only my daughter is 5 &in kindergarten. We live in Buffalo ny so we r right across the border. Her misbehavior only occurs in school n she is above average in academic ability as well. I suggest taking her to an ear nose and throat doctor to have her tonsils and adenoids checked out. When we went the dr immediately founds hers to be enlarged n he ordered a sleep study that also revealed sleep apnea. There are a number of studies that reveal behavior and hyperactivity are both linked to sleep troubles in kids. Does your child sleep well?

Sierra Gayle - posted on 10/21/2013

I suggest testing her to see if she is at the first grade level, because it sounds like in class she is bored.

Natalie - posted on 10/21/2013

I want to add, I was bored because everything I was learning in school, I had already learned on my own before they started to teach it in class and I resented having to spend time on what I felt was beneath me when I truly did want to be learning more. So much more. They started to realize this because while I rarely did my homework or participated in classes, I constantly had the top scores on tests and was in the top percentile on all subjects in the standardized ITBS tests they gave in school.

Natalie - posted on 10/21/2013

This was me! Please have her evaluated for her intelligence and potential giftedness. My parents had been offered a chance to enroll me in a gifted program but declined, fearing it would put me at a social disadvantage in school. I became disillusioned with school before I was even twelve. I dropped out of school at 15. Got my GED. I tested into a high IQ society at 19. I started college as a Biology and Chemistry major and finally found school that interested me, but didn't even present a challenge until my senior level courses. She may not be being challenged. Especially if she expresses a desire to learn but finds school boring. I was falsely diagnosed with ADD and later they realized they were wrong.

Jennifer - posted on 10/21/2013

She may be bored truly because the teacher is boring! Or because she is smart enough that she should be tested and put in a class with higher expectations and a curriculum that she doesn't already know all the answers to. I would also ask the teacher how often during the week your daughter has recess and PE and how long those sessions last.

Rebecca - posted on 10/21/2013

Hi There,

This sounds very familiar to me, although my daughter didn't have trouble sitting still we thought we were on the path to ADHD as well. Until I changed her diet. Please read the "Our Story" post on my blog http://www.cutthechemicalscookbook.com/t...
I think it can help.

By cutting additives and preservatives from her diet she is a changed child - no medication required. And I've seen it before in those so called naughty boys as well.

Please let me know what you think.

Rebecca

Deborah Ridgely - posted on 10/21/2013

ADD is an excuse for parents and teachers to sedate their children into "sitting still like the other children". I think at the age of 6 not sitting still for all day at school is normal. You can start training your daughter to sit still at home - make a game of it and set the timer for 15 minutes and reward her for sitting still and being quiet while she colors or reads. Then stretch the timer to 20 minutes , then 25, etc. If that doesn't help, I advise no sugar. That is how childen act when sugar is a problem for them. If these things don't work, the best advice I can give you is to Homeschool. Not all children fit the norm. But I would not get her diagnosed as ADD unless you are seeing other serious symptoms. It sounds like another teacher who doesn't want to address the real problems and wants an easy way out using ritalin. Not healthy.

Constance - posted on 10/18/2013

My oldest daughter was similar. She was bored and we put her into advanced classes to stimulate her and keep her interest. It is important, however, for children to be able to comply. Sometimes this means that they may have to learn to use their imagination or meditate. All in all, it is a good thing for her to learn to cope with. Shaping the world around your child will teach them that they are entitled and that they do not need to make allowances for others.

Niki - posted on 10/18/2013

Beautifully written, Bee.
Wish I ad something like that 6 years ago for my son.
What a wonderful way to look at it.

Deanna - posted on 10/18/2013

I never take bored at face value from kids. It usually means they don't like what is being done so it's boring to them. Keep in mind that at school your child has 20+ kids to be distracted by so that is a lot different then home or other activities they are doing by choice. Also keep in mind that just because she does we'll academically doesn't mean you should ignore the behaviors since they are likely interfering with the learning if others, which is not fair to other children. Is she an only child? Maybe she acts out for attention? If this teacher has been around children she knows what is "normal" squirming for their age and what "most" kids are able to do. As a 1st and 2nd grade teacher and a mother I totally get both sides of this. I do tell parents that in my 10 years of teaching I've worked with nearly 300 kids so I do have some frame of reference on the situation. My 4th grader can sit quietly all day long and is sweet and helpful but so unfocused he gets nothing done. Tried meds in 3rd grade and he went from getting C-D grades to B's. My 2nd grader is above grade level in everything and he says he's bored but try to challenge him and he has no interest. Try behavior rewards, try diet do the best you can but don't just dismiss that there may be an issue. Best of luck :)

Lukithia - posted on 10/18/2013

Our kids are often the best indicators of what they need. If she says she is bored then that is the problem. My son has the same issue in some classes and he is in middle school now. When he is bored he gets antsy. The teacher needs to find a solution to the boredom and you can Institute a reward system for getting a good report from the teacher. Kids need to learn that sometimes they will get bored but they have to mind the rules for the situation. For instance when my son is bored at church service I have him use my phone to video and at school he doodles.

Niki - posted on 10/18/2013

My son was the exact same in Grade 1. The principal and teachers wanted me to medicate him and really pushed for it but I refused. He was labeled by the teachers and this really became a problem since the kids pick up on that and felt they could target him also. I think classrooms for that age needs to be more hands on and active instead of sit in your seat quietly, do your work at your desk, and the lack of Phys ED is awful. Our school is in Ontario too. I am in the school quite often so i do see how it is run and I really feel bad for those little ones. My son is now in Grade 7 and has a wonderful teacher but we had 5 years of pure hell. It was so bad I went to the MP's office because the principal was bullying my son so bad. The next letter I wrote him began with "As per advisement from MP's office I am submitting my correspondence in writing" Well once he got that letter I never had a problem. My son was never in his office and went from a C student
to an A minus student in a year. Keep involved and stand your ground. You are the parent and know your child best! And Good Luck!

Michelle - posted on 10/18/2013

Well there are lots of possibilities…. Any chance to work in some bits of aerobics before school? Some kids just need a chance to wiggle and get it out. Also, is there any chance that there is an advanced program at your school? If she’s bored, she might need to be in a more advanced class.

Not suggesting that your child is ADD or ADHD – however there are some home diet changes that could be done to see if it helps. These food modifications are suggested for ADD and ADHD, however they won’t hurt even if that is not the case.

Begin reading labels and avoiding specific ingredients…
*Food dyes (especially red).
*Limit or reduce sugars. Avoid high fructose corn syrup! Use honey, stevia, sucanat, or another healthier sugar when you do use sugar.
*Wash all fruits and veggies to remove pesticide.
*Consider organic (especially on the dirty dozen items). This list changes often, so it’s best to utilize the internet and see what is currently on the list.
*Eat less fruits (fruits are natures form of sugar).

Here are some other foods to increase…
*Eat 8-10 almonds each morning.
*Consume some protein with each meal.
*Increase vegetables.
*Some say caffeine can actually help (although I would be very cautious and talk to at Dr. first as it’s addicting and stopping it can cause headaches).

I would suggest you get several opinions before you label your child. And if your child does get a label, be sure to not let it become the scape goat!!! Best wishes and good luck.

Donna - posted on 10/17/2013

It is normal.. just take. Her and let her run that energy out. I wish I still had that much spunk.

User - posted on 10/15/2013

Im so glad that you dont think it to be ADD or ADHD. I feel its overused and some, not everyone, want the easy way out to calm their kids. In my personal experience, my son is only 2 and I am nervous about sending him to preschool next yr, and not because Ill miss him too much, but because I think he is going to be hard to deal with. He has a hard time focusing on things, and if I try to get him to do something for too long, he doesnt have it, hes back and forth with things a lot. And there are many times that he can sit and focus, but its just when he wants to. Which I do believe is normal, but he is just very active as well. So I fore see issues in the future lol.
My niece and nephews are in this age group and IDK how they focus in school. I am just curious, my niece told me, sometimes she will "sneak" things to school so she can play wiht them when she is bored lol I dont suggest that at all, but got me thinking maybe a squeeze ball (as long as they wont throw it) or something for them to put their energy. Even a bracelet so they can move it around, but not cause a big fuss. I feel at this age they just dont have that long of an attention span.
Have you talked to any of the other parents if their children are bored in the classroom and having trouble focusing? If so maybe you can talk to the school and see if the can "spruce" up the curriculum.
Also maybe a reward system. If she sits well in class one day (after confirming with the teacher) she an get a treat, not just foods, but maybe points to go towards buying a small toy or something.
Hope this helps

Melissa - posted on 10/15/2013

Hi Carole! My daughter is also in 1st grade and we have struggled as well! We are about 8 weeks in now and things are much better! As long as she is doing well academically, I wouldn't worry. Some kids just have trouble sitting still for a long time at school. We created a reward system at home. If she could make it 4 out of 5 days without any issues (i.e. contact from her teacher telling us she was having a rough day, disicipline notices, etc.) she'd get a little $1toy or candy. Hang in there! Praying for you and your daughter!

Rebekah - posted on 10/14/2013

Just a clarification... my understanding of ADD is that it is an inability to focus "on demand," seen especially when they need to be doing something that doesn't capture their interest. They may be able to focus for stretches of time (even hyperfocus) on high interest things, tv, videogames, etc, but try to have them do required work for school that is less interesting, for example, and they really struggle to maintain focus.

I'm not saying your daughter is ADD... only a certified psychologist/neurologist can flush that out. I agree with other suggestions that an evaluation might help determine what the source of her difficulty is, as well as her academic needs. If she needs more challenge, a good evaluation can point that out. If she has sensory issues where a few interventions would help her stick with the task at hand, a good evaluation can determine that too. A good evaluation would also have recommendations for the teacher as far as what would help in the classroom.

I also have to comment on the "bored" complaint... (I have a bright 7 year old, so I get this comment at times too). I don't think "bored" can always be taken at face value. I think it can mean different things at different times. Yes, it might mean its too easy sometimes, but it also could mean that she missed the directions because she wasn't focused or was talking, etc. At home when my son is "bored" it means he doesn't know what to do with himself, or even feels lonely and wants interaction.

My son does get extra challenge because he is above grade level, but he is still required to do work that his peers are doing (which he has mastered long ago, and feels is too easy)... while I have my own thoughts about this, I still need to impress upon him that he needs to do what is expected of him, that it doesn't hurt to reinforce basic skills in between his areas of challenge.

Keep communicating with your teacher...see if there are things she can do in the classroom to engage your daughter in the lessons. Consider an evaluation that will help to pinpoint what's going on.