Toddlers: 24 Months+

what to do with high energy toddler?

My 2 1/2 year old has ENDLESS energy, I need some ideas on how to embrace it rather than trying to change him.

Also, his energy is so intense that im afraid of him being labeled with Adhd once he starts grade school. Should i be worried about this at this age? Im the mother that gets the comments like "wow, your child as so much energy! I bet he sleeps good at night! " well, he does... but during the day I feel like im in a constant Battle with him constantly trying ti get him to settle down and stop running around furniture like a dog, or stop jumping to make noise on hard wood floors. I ultimately get him to stop but this is a daily challenge for me.

Ugh, am I being too hard on my toddler? Too easy? How can I embrace his energy while preparing him for future situations where he will need to settle down and be still?

Re: what to do with high energy toddler?

  • Probably normal!  My guy is nonstop too.  I find structuring the day helpful.  Set aside times for arts and crafts, helping with housework, helping preparing meals, free play, structured play and outings.  A dependable schedule helps.  
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  • DS is the same. We have to plan on a lot of outside play or high energy inside play everyday to burn off his energy. Rainy days are my biggest enemy!!!

          DS1: Quinn - 10.22.10 and DS2: Cole - 01.18.13

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  • Are there any gyms or sports that he could do near you? There are a lot of little boys in DD's gymnastics class. They are pretty high energy and play hard, but the coach is really good at getting them to sit still during the instruction period.
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  • I have looked around for community activities but they arent very appealing until he turns 3.

    Im glad to hear its normal otherwise... each time I see a toddler his age walking by the parents side with no issues I get scared.
  • Sometimes I open up our ranch slider, and let DD1 out onto our deck (it runs the length of the house) and she just runs up and down it by herself, just kind of running and calling and giggling.

    are there spaces in yoru house that LO can be noisy and high energy? 

    Could you play "catch the bubbles", put up a small ball pit full of balls, make a tent with chairs and sheets, get a small trampoline, let him dig in the garden.

    Just some ideas. 

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    Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
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  • Ditto fred on checking to see if he could have sensory issues. My little guy does and our first indicator of it was endless energy. Since he's on a sensory diet he does great and is well focused and not out of control.

    I would redirect to appropriate activities. If he's a jumper and you don't want him doing it on your floors, get a mini trampoline. They're fairly cheap. I have a climber so I got a little tikes climber/slide for my basement. It works really well (and can be used outside if you don't have the indoor space). You can score them pretty cheap on CL.

    Heavy work activities are really good for burning energy and organizing high energy kids. Here's a list of some:

    https://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/heavy-work-activities.html

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  • I live in South Florida, so we enjoy good weather in the winter. So, me saying I take my antsy kid outside for a walk may be easier said than done. Whenever DDs get whiny, I take them outside. I just drop whatever I'm doing and load DD2 in her stroller, put DD1's shoes on and out we go. I can't stand the whining, and there is so much for them to explore and focus on outside. I live in a fairly subdued neighborhood, so DD1 can run back and forth without much cause for concern, and there is an elementary school nearby if I want to walk there and let her play on the playground. Luckily, they are both in DC and they have professionals who know how to deal with their childish energy. DH enrolled DD1 in a gymnastics class and the first one is tomorrow. We will see how that goes. She is too hyper for my liking, but I am sure she is perfectly normal and I'm the one who is just too tired to deal with her. If LO doesn't have any "issues" you can pin point, I would just try to redirect the energy outside and let him run. The kid walking sedately by their parents probably has more issues. I don't know any kid that behaves most of the time. :)
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