Going Crazy over 6 Year Old Girl.

L. i agree with many others on here..... My soon to be 8 year old is the exact same way...everyone knows her name before leaving the room lol but i also understand that sometimes they can over do it. In kindergarten i had to put a handle on it cause the teacher seemed to not be able to handle her personality. Inorder to get kaylin under control i started making her write sentences. She had the problem of putting her hands on other kids because she simply wanted their attention. The teacher got mad and even suspended her one time from school when she was in kindergarten....It didn't bother her... so we started the writing sentences. We explained to her that there is other ways to get another persons attention. We made her the deal that if she didn't chill out in school that she would have to write sentences. We started off with 25 and added 10 more each time. She got up to 75 and now behaves very well in the 2nd grade. Don't get me wrong i love my daughters personality and i see her as a leader not a follower but like i said sometimes it is not a good time to have such behavior. Good Luck and enjoy her .... oh also lol now she has such good printing cause of all the practice she got copyin the sentences we wrote for her lol so it helps with that too.

There are different kinds of human brains... and some of them simply do not function well in stillness or silence.

However inconvenient or loud that might be.

Laughing and giggling!!??

This behavior MUST BE STOPPED!!

Sounds pretty normal to me, too... my son is nearly 6, and he can't sit at the table without flapping his arms or moving somehow... and when he's up from the table, he's Anakin Skywalker, dashing about the room and having light sabre duels with one character or another.

I say relax a little, and try to enjoy it... After all, it won't be long before she'll be living her very own high school MELODRAMA, and you may find some more serious issues going on... Someone opened Pandora's Box of High School Musical... and once it's open, it's open. Let her get that energy out... so long as she's not trampling the 2 year old.

I personally think you daughter is completely NORMAL! My 1st Grade 7 year old son does the same things. He's constantely running around the house spinning, making noises and talking to himself. When I ask him what he's doing he responds that he's acting out some show or cartoon. He can be VERY loud and obnoxious too even when he's not playing with his younger brother. I personally think it's because they are expected to be so good and quiet in school all day that when they come home, they have all of this energy and want to get rid of it. It will get better once the weather warms up I'm sure. Hang in there.

Just this morning, I scolded my overly energetic 9 year old who was singing, dancing and annoying his older two siblings and myself. This goes on at 6 AM, 9 PM and at any moment in between. It is getting a little better, but it is still there. The important thing at 6 is that your daughter needs to pay attention in class and in public situations. Sometimes the more they have to sit for 6 hours, they need to "vent" out that energy when they get home. I was just told by the school that they can not believe that my "wildman" at recess, sits quietly and gets straight A's in the classroom. She is in a transition with more and more sitting time at school and being winter she needs to release that energy. I have my son keep in coat and winter clothes on when he gets off the bus, put his backpack down and run, run and play outside for atleast 15 minutes. Being active with her may also help the 2 year old. I have my children in lots of extra curricular activities, but then you have to get her there and that his also difficult. These are also often structured. Soccer may be a great high energy sport for her!

Normal? Yes. Can it be annoying? Yes!!! My 5 yr old son is the same way. I have come to accept the fact, that this is just his personality. There are good things that come from it too, like his AMAZING imagination. Lately I have been teaching him appropriate silly times. I understand that he needs to get his "super sillies" out, but at the dinner table is not the right time and I think he is old enough to learn that. Surprisingly, he doesn't act this way at school. For him, activity is the key-physical and mental. In the summer, I make him run laps around our garage instead of timeouts. I was thinking of teaching him a workout routine with jumping jacks and push-ups etc. He plays outside almost everyday, unless it's under 20degrees. We walk him to and home from K everyday no matter how cold or rain. When his play gets out of hand or too annoying with his 3yr old sis, then I separate them and they have alone time for awhile, not really punishment, just time to settle down. I completing understand how frustrating this behavior can be. From the outside looking in, these simple actions may seem like just a kid being a kid, but when you have to deal with this almost out of control behavior everyday it can really wear on you. This is what I've learned in the last few months: Don't let her feel your anger at her personality, this is who she is and she can't help that. Activities!!!!! Have things planned and ready so as soon as she starts getting too hyped up you are prepared. Teach her boundaries. She is old enough to learn that certain times are not "silly" times. Find a way to decompress yourself when your last nerve is about to be broken. Remember, this too shall pass and one day you might find that you even miss it! :)

Hi, I would reccommend reading "Raising Your Spirited Child" by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. It is a wonderful book and may help you cope with and channel your daughter's high energy. I have 2 good friends who have struggled with this and this book has been extremely useful to them. I also have a very energetic and temperamental 5 year old and it has helped me to understand her more and be a better mom to her. Best wishes, A. Mother of 3 beautiful kids

Hi I also think its normal behavior, with winter keeping us locked inside its hard to find fun things to do. I agree letting her play outside for a little while it won't hurt,build a snow man make an ice rink what ever you can. I like to get the video camera out when my daughter is being silly and we put on a show and she can watch herself later she gets a kick out of it! I also let them go into our basement and run and ride scooters and those little tykes cars (our basement is not finished yet) Make forts and tents with blankets and pillows and have a camp out complete with microwave smores! They clean up easily! They are bored like we all are this time of year, put some ear plugs in and get creative you'll miss these times when her boyfriend is taking up all her time lol! One other thing my daughter and I like to do by the way is read Junie B Jones books together I love them shes so silly and my daughter loves them too!

She sounds like a very creative little girl. Get her involved in your community theatre. Most communities have them and most have plays for children, using children. Unless she has a medical problem....don't discourage, work with her. She may just become a famous actress and support you in your old age! Find her passion!

Sounds pretty normal to me!

Hi L.,
I have to agree with some that maybe it is her diet and possibly sleep or lack of. My eldest son (now 15) was a handful growing up, non stop talking, ran everywhere instead of walking, into everything under the son. I started to watch his sugar intake including fruit, switched to whole grain and tried and still do try to watch what he eats. It helped. Also making sure he got a good nights sleep, this was hard, as I would put him to bed at 7:30pm and he would stay awake until 12, much patience on that.
The doctors diagnosed him with ADHD and suggested medicine, while it did nothing for his energy it helped in school, he could focus on subjects better. My husband and I decided to introduce sports as another alternative, Cross Country was a God Send. My son is bright and energetic and weird, keeping him occupied and giving him a healthy diet is what works for him. Medication is not always the answer and can have side effects.
Another possiblility, maybe she is too smart for her own good and gets bored easily. You could always have her I.Q. tested.
Good luck and enjoy your little genius.
W.

this may be too simple an answer but my seven year old is CRAZY if he doesn't get enough sleep. So tonight he was in bed by 7:30, after a very difficult day for him (and me) I think sleep plays a major facor in this behavior. 12 hours of sleep is ideal for a six year old, however hard that may be, it may make your days much more sane. Hope it helps!

This sounds almost exactly like my 6 (almost 7) y/o son, except that it's usually Pirates of the Caribbean instead of HSM. I, too, have wondered if this type of behavior is normal. I've come to find out from talking to different moms that it's not really uncommon behavior for this age group. My little boy is fine at school. In fact, everyone seems to love him and say that he is a very bright child. I've always attributed my son's "odd" play habits to his being an only child. His father and I have both been in school for most of his life, so he's used to having to entertain himself. It sounds like your 6 y/o just has a very active imagination. As for getting on your last nerve, I understand that as well. Unfortunately, I don't really have any solutions for you on that front. I'm actually very good at tuning out noises when I need, too. (I'm sure I sound like a great mom.) We have also struggled with financial issues (back to both of us being in school) and have been unable to afford for him to participate in many activities that weren't free. Again, I don't really have any advice for you. I just want you to know that you're not alone, and I'm sure your little girls are both perfectly "normal," whatever that means.

L.-

My daughter is seven years old and has acted like that since she could walk and talk. I have learned to embrace it, where everyone else gets agitated by it. I have learned that is her personality plain and simple. I asked in preschool if the teachers thought she was ADHD or ADD. Their response was NO, that she was just a happy, well cared for, confident child. She was not disruptive to others, she just entertains herself very well. No complaints from the Kindergarten teacher either. Her first grade teacher did make some suggestions, but the doctor had no concerns. And now in the second grade the teacher states once again she is no problem or disruption, except for the occasionally singing when doing her work or dancing in line. (I must also add that I have her in a Visual and Performing Arts school so this behavior is "normal").

I think the most important thing for my daughter and myself is to accept herself as she is! Also create avenues in and out of the home for her to express her creative side. Allow her a space in the home where she can dance and act out HSM, and sometimes you join in. Trust me it was fun and I needed the exercise. Try walking around laughing and giggling with your eyes closed...that might be fun too. Or better yet as her what she is thinking or seeing when she does it. She probably is doing what a lot of kids these days don't do and that is use her imagination. Give her a chance to paint, draw, sing, dance or act. She sounds just like my daughter, and through school and the activities I give her at home she is the most joyous child anyone has seen in a long time, not to mention creative and intelligent. Please Please don't stifle it or you just might stifle her personal growth!

I have a 4 year old daughter who it extremely active and constantly annoying her 1 year old little brother, always in his face and jumping around. It gets annoying very fast! But everyone I have talked to about her tells me it is normal. Some kids just have a higher energy level than others. I am in the same boat as you and would love to get her into some activities but money is tight so we have to be creative. Even though it is winter, just let her get all bundled up and go crazy out in the snow. Or find a safe area i your house and let her just jump around to her hearts desire. A friend recommended getting a kids dance or workout DVD and letting her dance and exercise along with that to help focus her energy.
Good Luck, hang in there, winter will be over soon.

Sounds like my daughter at 6. Have you talked to your pediatrician about the possibility of her having ADHD?
M.

Your daughter sounds like a happy, energetic child. I have a 12 year old daughter and a 2-1/2 year old son. Both of my kids have to have an activity that will keep them busy and stimulated or they will act out like your daughter. Sometimes I run out of ideas on activities though, plus I'm not here to provide them 24/7 entertainment either. My daughter gets fixated on something like Hannah Montana and she will sing the songs to that show all the time. My son wants me to constantly play trains with him which isn't always possible every single day. If I let it get to me, it would too drive me nuts, but I've learned to relax and let them be. What has worked wonderfully and I strongly suggest this if you already haven't, is for your daughter to have a friend or two come over regularly and she go to their house for playdates. Both of my kids have friends over and they love it. Although my 12 year old doesn't live with me, she still has contact with her friends daily. My 2-1/2 year old plays with the neighbor's daughter and loves it. She brightens his day. Friends are the best!!!! Try neighbor kids if you have some close by or classmates. Kids entertain each other and you get a break. This will loosen you up, trust me.

I believe that there is a definate link between what foods we eat and how we behave. I have an article that a social worker gave me. If you are interested in it, the website is www.dbsalliance.org.

Keeping a food journal would be a good way to start and maybe you and your pediatrician can tailor a diet suited specifically to your daughter's needs.

Take them to Pump it up. It's $8 per kid during open play time. They can run and jump and act crazy and when you get home they are tired out. Parents can also play-or relax and watch!

sounds just like me at that age. don't worry, i grew up to be a motivated and laid back business owner. i think i grew out of it when i was about 17ish. don't stifle her energy and creativity, though it will benefit her in the future. try some play groups with some of her class mates to help her expel some energy. i'm getting mine now with a very high energy 14 mo who doesnt sleep and is too smart for her own good. good luck, mom. hold on tight and try to have fun with it!

Spirited child book, as mentioned below would be a great resource. Also recommend looking into kinetic learning style - your daughter probably is a kinetic learning (meaning she learns but doing). Most teachers now adays just say your kid has ADHD but reality is that she's probably quite smart and learns in a unique way. So I would encourage you to look into the book and the learning style, take her to playscapes and the such, come up wtih fun games that get her moving in ways that won't get on your last nerve as much and enjoy her energy and excitement for life.

My son is the same way, except I have always really enjoyed watching his imagination, talents, and personality blossom. I love watching and listening to the things he does and things he comes up with blow my mind. It's so cool!! He has a real passion for dancing, tumbling, jumping around- similar to your daughter. So, when he was 3 (almost 6 now), I put him in gymnastics classes(the best gym in the area). We don't have a lot of extra money either, but I think its really important to catch on to what your child loves to do and then make an avenue for them to spread their wings, so to speak. So what if we don't eat out every day of the week, or go to the movies once a week, my kid is a gymnast!! It rocks~! Good luck!

Take your kids to a McDonald's play area, that'll help her get the wiggles out! : )

My granddaughter was like that until we started cleaning, scrapbooking,coloring and reading. Then it's quiet hour or a game called let's see who can be quiet for 5 minutes. Now she's the best reader in her class and she doesn't wants anyone to clean without her. Plus,now she takes naps!!!!! She is 5 years old reading in the middle First grade level and sometimes you don't know she's in the house

She does sound a little more active than a normal 1st grader, but it sounds like she stops when you get upset with her. I would just set limits for her behavior, and stick to them. You could also check with your local sdchool's community education for free and low cost activities, or you can also check with some local churches for youth activities. You may need to have structured activities for her at home.