Showing posts sorted by relevance for query adhd. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query adhd. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query adhd. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query adhd. Sort by date Show all posts

What Are the Best Classroom Games for Keeping ADHD Students Engaged?

Keeping ADHD Students Engaged with Games for the Classroom

Many teachers wonder how to keep students with ADHD focused and participating in the classroom. These students often face unique challenges with attention and impulse control, making it necessary to use specific strategies and engaging techniques. The best classroom games for keeping ADHD students engaged are interactive, hands-on, and designed to stimulate focus while allowing movement and creativity.

Understanding how ADHD affects learning can help educators better support their students and adapt activities to their needs. Games that blend structure with flexibility, such as educational scavenger hunts or memory-based challenges, encourage active participation and make learning more accessible. Choosing the right games can truly make a difference in classroom engagement for students with ADHD.

The information here is not intended as a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any medical questions.

Key Takeaways

  • ADHD can make classroom engagement more challenging.

  • Interactive and movement-based games support engagement.

  • Tailoring activities to ADHD needs leads to better outcomes.



What Are the Best Classroom Games for Keeping ADHD Students Engaged?

Understanding ADHD and Its Impact on Classroom Engagement

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that significantly shapes how children participate and learn in classroom environments. Challenges with attention, activity level, and impulse control require thoughtful strategies to keep students engaged and supported.

Common Symptoms Affecting Classroom Participation

ADHD is characterized by patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms can make it difficult for students to focus during lessons, follow instructions, and stay organized. For example, a child might frequently lose track of assignments or become easily distracted by minor sounds or movements.

There are different types of ADHD, such as predominantly inattentive and predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentations. In the classroom, symptoms may appear as daydreaming, excessive movement, or impulsive actions like calling out answers. Even brief group tasks can be disrupted if a student struggles to regulate impulses. These symptoms not only disrupt academic performance but also affect peer relationships and self-esteem. Early recognition and understanding of these behaviors allow educators to provide appropriate interventions.

Unique Learning Challenges for ADHD Students

Children with ADHD face unique difficulties related to executive functions, such as organizing tasks, managing time, and remembering instructions. This makes transitions between activities and complex assignments particularly challenging. It is common for these students to require repeated directions or help breaking down multi-step tasks.

Academic performance can suffer if learning activities rely heavily on sustained attention or passive listening. Written instructions or purely verbal explanations may be missed or forgotten. Many students with ADHD benefit from visual schedules, hands-on activities, and frequent reminders. Socially, students may also struggle to interpret cues or manage frustration during group play. These learning barriers require approaches that emphasize structure, clarity, and positivity.

Key Principles for Supporting Students with ADHD

Supporting children with ADHD starts with recognizing their needs for movement, structure, and immediate feedback. Effective strategies include breaking tasks into smaller steps, using visual aids, and providing clear, concise instructions. Teachers can use behavioral classroom management—such as reward systems and daily report cards—to encourage positive behaviors and engage students in their learning.

Regular physical or sensory breaks are valuable. Building in opportunities for fidgeting or movement can help students channel excess energy productively. Consistent routines and positive reinforcement help build confidence and motivation. By creating an environment attentive to their needs, teachers foster better participation and support academic success.

Best Classroom Games and Strategies for Engaging ADHD Students

Engaging students with ADHD requires activities that support movement, sensory input, and structured focus. The use of interactive games, hands-on learning, and targeted activities helps improve executive functioning skills, attention, and self-regulation.

Interactive Movement Games

Movement games break up long periods of sitting, offering students much-needed active breaks. Simon Says, Red Light, Green Light, and short yoga routines are simple ways to integrate physical activity while enhancing listening skills and impulse control.

Teachers often use brief “brain breaks,” such as guided stretches or energetic clapping patterns, to maintain concentration and reduce disruptive behavior. These breaks help reset attention and provide dopamine boosts that benefit working memory and organization. Incorporating movement breaks supports transitions and helps students refocus on academic tasks. Relay races and team challenges add opportunities for collaboration and positive reinforcement. Activities like these align with classroom management strategies recommended by the CDC for ADHD, as they allow students to expend energy in a productive manner.

Hands-On Learning and Sensory Activities

Hands-on activities help address sensory needs and keep engagement high. Using items like building blocks, modeling clay, or fidgets helps students channel energy constructively while supporting fine motor development and creativity. Sensory bins or textured materials offer tactile stimulation, which can calm or activate students as needed.

Interactive projects such as science experiments, art tasks, and sorting games encourage active participation. They also support organizational skills and executive function by requiring following steps and planning. These activities provide a structured learning environment with clear expectations and visual schedules, which foster a more supportive atmosphere for students with ADHD.

Conclusion

Selecting effective classroom games for students with ADHD requires a focus on engagement, movement, and clear structure. Incorporating activities like Jeopardy-style review games, hands-on learning, and rotating stations can help sustain attention and support participation.

Students with ADHD often benefit from games that include visual aids, simple rules, short-term goals, and opportunities for physical movement. Teachers can also encourage participation by providing frequent positive feedback.


Recommended Reading:


Art Develops Critical Thinking Skills


Sensory Play Aids in Childhood Development


Feeling Disrespected by Family

Do you often feel cast aside and disrespected by family members?

Are you feeling disrespected in your relationships? Most of us feel disrespected at times, even when no one really means to show us disrespect. Parenting is hard, but being the mom is harder. Society puts pressure on moms to always do the right thing, to put on a happy face, and never to let the family see that you’re human too. How do you know when you’re just feeling emotional versus when the disrespect is out of control? Feeling disrespected by family stifles good vibes, what can you do?

Damned if you do quote
You're damned if you do and damned if you don't quote.

 This sponsored post contains Amazon affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

 

Kids will be kids. But when teenagers behave like teenagers, family relationships can get difficult. When do you choose your battle, when do you ignore the emotional roller coaster, and when do you jump on the parenting train to try to fix it? Is it just a phase or are they modeling the behavior of another family member? If your partner is disrespectful, chances are your kids will be too. Not sure if your partner has crossed the line? ReGain has a very eye-opening article that can help you decide.


Get my Debut Novel: Allegedly Mystic


If your kids are suffering from the effects of your relationship, they may act out or become depressed. Children, especially teens, get frustrated by their lack of control over their life situations. Sometimes they feel like the situation is hopeless- no matter how hard you try to work with them. I’ve been down this road more than once. It doesn’t get any easier with practice. All you can do is learn from your mistakes and be prepared to be the bad guy no matter what you say. The old adage, “You’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t,” starts to feel like the title of your life.

When I split with my partner of fifteen years, we all suffered with depression and the fear of the unknown. As a parent, watching your children suffer is painful. No matter how much you want to help, your help may not be the answer. Public school counselors can often help zero in on issues like adhd, autism, depression, suicidal tendencies, or other emotional issues. If you’re a homeschooler, finding an affordable counselor isn’t as easy. There are many online resources. This article might help a teen who is fighting to hold back tears when they’re feeling frustrated or angry: Why do I cry when I’m Mad?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, this article from GoodTherapy shares a list of teen help hotlines and other free mental health resources. Your pediatrician can also do a depression evaluation survey, and based on the results, refer you to a family counselor. Many family therapists operate on a sliding scale. 


Articles on Autism


After the upheaval in our family, the kids and I moved to our happy place. A little cottage on a quiet lake, where we could swim, kayak, and birdwatch to our heart’s content. The first few weeks we kept our minds busy by remodeling the house, but after a while reality set in, and we decided to try family counseling. No one really enjoyed it, we had to make some sacrifices to find an affordable therapist which ended up being an hour from home. By the time we got off the waiting list, much of the family dynamic had changed and the diagnosis was changed from severe depression to adhd. The counselor had to have a diagnosis for our insurance to continue to pay, but it didn’t really seem to fit our circumstances.

With other members of the family with adhd, we had some prior experience dealing with the ups and downs, and this really wasn’t the same thing. It was nice to have a neutral party listen to our problems, but it wasn’t really worth the trouble. It caused more stress on an already stressed relationship, because the kids didn’t want to go and the family dynamic continued to play out. I know that sounds counterintuitive. I know that I’m the parent and I shouldn’t let the kids overrule me, but believe me, this wasn’t good for any of us. At the time, an online therapy option would’ve been ideal. 

Finally, the best solution for our family came through the advice of our pediatrician, the kids needed their own life. They needed more activities that they enjoyed. Sure, we did homeschool groups, 4-H, and summer camps, but it wasn’t enough. My kids were at a place in their lives where they needed more, even if they didn’t want more. They also needed less. Less time with mom, less time with each other. We all needed some space to help distance ourselves from the previous situation.

The biggest battle we faced was a lack of real relationships. There were no close relationships so that the kids could see healthy family behaviors modeled. We lived over an hour away from any relatives, so extended family time was few and far between. It was definitely time for a major change. After some heartfelt conversations with the pediatrician, relatives, and close friends, we decided our life needed an overhaul. The biggest piece of the puzzle that we all longed for was a sense of belonging. So we packed our bags and moved back to my hometown where we could be closer to family that would provide a support network as we all stepped out into the real world for the first time in years. I took a part-time job as an activity assistant at a retirement home and the kids both enrolled in public school. Talk about change! Change is scary, but sometimes we need a catalyst to set our lives in the right direction. All of these changes have led me to a wonderful opportunity with our local Habitat for Humanity. Look for more updates in coming posts.

 

Recommended:


If Mama Ain't Happy Article from Adventures of Kids Creative Chaos

Signs of Trouble? Article from Adventures of Kids Creative Chaos




ECE Continuing Education Online


Where do you go to get Early Childhood Education Training Online?


As a childcare provider, early education teacher, and summer camp director, I know how important continuing education and professional development is to childcare programs. There’s always something new to learn, new milestones to meet, and new knowledge to obtain. As an owner/operator of a school-age summer camp program, I want my staff to have a wide range of childhood development knowledge. Obtaining certification in early childhood education can improve your earning potential in the childcare profession.

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.



Where do you go to get Early Childhood Education Training Online?




Personally, I’ve taken many courses online and offline receiving certificates and credits toward my ECE (Early Childhood Education Certification.) ChildCare Education Institute offers certificate programs and coursework that meets the requirement for national credentials including the CDA. CCEI also has online certification programs for Director and Early Childhood Credentials. CCEI, a Council for Professional Recognition CDA Gold Standard™ comprehensive training provider, is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and is accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

I recently was given the opportunity to enroll in some of their courses in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Many early childhood and school age programs require a certain number of continuing education courses each year. The courses are also a great resume builder for anyone who wants to become a professional child care provider.

As a homeschool mom, education blogger, and summer camp provider,  I want to keep up on the latest information in child care. So, when CCEI asked me to do a review, I jumped at the chance to look through the course offerings and take and earn a certificate.  

I’ve completed my certificate for Attention Deficit Disorders by taking this course: Attention Deficit Disorders: Course ID: SPN102 Course Level: Beginner Course Hours: 1

I’ve had some prior course work and even written about ADD and ADHD on my blog and on other education websites. However, this course was very informative, I even discovered some new methods for dealing with behavior problems.

The course took about an hour to complete and came with a printable study guide handout. At the end of the course, I took an exam and earned a course certificate which will fulfill continuing education needs.

It was easy to navigate through the CCEI course. As I was taking the class, I was able to scroll forward or backward as needed. At the end of the class, you’re given several questions for review before allowed taking the final exam. The review is designed to help you prep for the test.


With my prior experience, I knew many of the answers already, but there were a couple that I missed. When you miss a review question, the program takes you back to the place in the lesson where the information can be reviewed again before the test.



ECE Continuing Education ADHD



If you score poorly on the exam, you are allowed to take it again. So, there’s no need to be nervous. Earning your certificate online is easy and won’t take up too much of your time. With most courses taking about an hour, you can easily fit them into your busy schedule.

As a participant in the CDA Gold Standard℠ pilot, ChildCare Education Institute successfully demonstrated that its early childhood education training is based on the Council’s three industry-leading principles:
  • Alignment with the CDA formal education coursework found in the CDA’s Eight Subject Areas.
  • Sound business policies and practices.
  • Quality student services that meet their educational and professional needs.



CCEI currently offers a general Child Care Orientation Certificate, a Diversity and Multiculturalism Certificate, and a CCDBG Health & Safety Training for ECE Professionals in Nevada Certificate. CCEI’s Professional Development program acceptance varies with each state, so be sure that you know your organization and state’s requirements before signing up.  Click here for more information.
ECE online course offerings. Classes in Early Childhood Education

As an added bonus to CCEI’s over 150+ online PD courses in English & Spanish, if you purchase a center-based annual subscription for your staff, you’ll have access to over 10,000 unique activities like the sampling above to implement in the classroom.  An extra perk of learning with CCEI over others!

CCEI offers a wide array of courses for ECE staff and caregivers. I encourage anyone working with children to get their continuing education with CCEI. CCEI is convenient and easy to navigate, there are a wide array of classes, they offer classroom curriculum, and most classes take about an hour. If you’re a daycare operator, you’ll definitely want to take a look at the courses to implement continuing education for your staff.

Recommended:
Popular Preschool Activities from Kids Creative Chaos.

Child Development Psychology: Sensory Play Aids in the Learning Process

Early Childhood Development: Learn with Sensory Play


The psychology behind a child's ability to focus academically or follow rules can be positively influenced by the environment. Parents and caregivers can help children with ADHD, sensory processing disorders or developmental issues ease into everyday activities with simple games and activities. 



Child Development Psychology: Sensory Play Aids in the Learning Process

(This post contains affiliate links.)

In the past, we co-hosted a play based learning linky party with Nikki at Spectrum Psychological. Sensory play is a sneaky tool to help your child learn important motor skills, early literacy skills, and cognitive thinking skills.


Child Development Psychology Building Block Towers: Play Based Learning
Play Based Learning: Building block play is beneficial to the brain.


If your child suffers from a child development disorder, you may want to consider alternative education options such as Montessori or Online Public School.  If one option doesn't work, keep trying until you find the right fit or your family.


Sensory Play Based Learning with Building Blocks for Motor Skills and Patience
Keeping a tower from toppling is a lesson in patience.

We have been fairly successful with Online Public School. I have two very different gifted children. One enjoys learning, the other one does not. As she approached second grade, she struggled with what was once only considered age appropriate hurdles. Her continued transposing of b's, d's, g's, 5's , and 3's was being considered as a form of Dyslexia. Compound words are transposed, numbers and letters reversed, and she read from right to left.

She has now been diagnosed with ADHD, Visual Processing Disorder, and within the Autism Spectrum. The public online school aided in the diagnoses with an evaluation with various specialist including a school psychologist, a speech pathologist, and special ed teachers. To my surprise, she was evaluated as gifted in several subjects and learning disabled in mathematics. We were given an IEP (Individualized Education Plan,) and she has special accommodations when testing.

In this case, we struggle with everyday writing tasks. As the learning coach, it is my responsibility to find ways to make school work fun. The easiest way is to avoid writing anything down on paper. Of course this isn't always realistic, so we supplement with less frightening activities. 


Using a dry erase board can make the daunting task of writing seem like a privilege. Alphabet magnets on a door turn the chore of spelling tests into a game. Just changing the media alleviates some of the stress making it easier to get started on school projects. 



Dyslexia Sensory Disorders Use Letters and Blocks to spell Writing Woes
Magnetic Alphabet Letters add a sensory element to writing lessons.

Gifted children face child developmental issues too. While one struggles with learning, the other faces many different challenges. The brain is busy soaking up knowledge, but gross and fine motor skills seem less important- think absent minded professor. His need for perfection not only stifles his creativity, it also frustrates him to the point of melt downs.


So, what is child development psychology? It is a combination of child development and development psychology meaning the study of physical, cognitive, and social changes throughout our life cycle or in this case throughout childhood. Piaget describes Early Childhood Development as children behaving as little scientists. 


Children focus all of their time and attention on learning, be it through play or studying and mimicking others. Sensory play is essential to child development. Children play to learn- Let them!


Aid your child's development by encouraging sensory play with homemade play dough, oversize blocks, a costume trunk and mirror, and educational sensory bins filled with colored sand or rice embedded with fabric or block letters. 


Teach them it's okay to get messy with edible finger paint or let them make mud pies. Turn your no into yes, and forget about the mess. Focus on can-do to build self-esteem and positive emotional development.




Recommended Reading:


Autism Awareness Programs

Early Intervention Games: Fun, Joyful Ways to Develop Social and Motor Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum or Sensory Processing Disorders

Early Childhood Development

Emotional Development


Creative and Sensory Play Blog Hop = Fun Activities for Kids



I'm co-hosting a new blog hop for those who love to PLAY!  Nikki who works with children with autism and adhd is a Neurofeedback Specialist over at Spectrum Psychological invites anyone who has a great idea for play-based learning to link up in this fun, new blog hop. When we pool talents, we can't help but find fantastic, fun activities for kids of all kinds. Play is the best medicine for children with sensory disorders and issues. So, grab the code, add your link, and hop around the wonderful, play based blogs.




Play to Learn Blog Hop
Grab the code.
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.spectrumpsychological.net/1/post/2013/01/play-to-learn-blog-hop.html" title="Play to Learn Blog Hop"><img src="http://www.spectrumpsychological.net/uploads/1/4/9/5/1495826/3711599.jpg?1358187461" alt="Play to Learn Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>



Blog Hop Rules

Feel free to link up to 3 posts related to play-based learning.  Please leave comments on 2 to 3 other linked posts and only link posts you have written yourself, no other link ups or blog hops.  It'd be awesome if you could add our blog hop badge to your site, either on your sidebar or in a post.  Thanks for playing!



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What is Sensory Play Based Learning? Looking for activity for kids or child games? Join the Linky Party

So, what is Sensory Play Based Learning? Linky Party

Find out more at PBS Parents. Here at Kids Creative Chaos the definition is simple: Play to learn! Find a fun activity for kids and lots of child games as you peruse our pages. 


Linky Party: What is Sensory Play Based Learning? Looking for activity for kids or child games?
What is Sensory Play? Join the Linky Party!
Please join the linky party and link up your ideas for messy crafts, games, and even art activities for preschoolers. The best early child development activities begin at birth. Some children suffer from sensory processing disorders and need more play based learning games throughout their childhood.

What is Sensory Play Based Learning Child Games Activity for Kids art activities for preschoolers early child development
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.spectrumpsychological.net/1/post/2013/03/play-to-learn-march-blog-hop.html" title="Play to Learn Blog Hop"><img src="http://www.spectrumpsychological.net/uploads/1/4/9/5/1495826/3711599.jpg?1358187461" alt="Play to Learn Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

If you want, grab the linky button for your blog! 
Link up to 3 posts. Visit as many as you can.

You've come to the right place! 

We've worked with autistic, adhd, add, and more in our "Let's Play" and "Messy Play" classes with great success. Now, we are sharing our ideas through our team of play based learning enthusiasts.  Nikki at Spectrum Psychological specializes in Attention Deficit and Autism Spectrum Disorders.  She's created this "play to learn" blog hop to help spread the word. 

MaryAnne at Mamasmiles.com co-hosts. Her blog is filled with awesome ideas for joyful parenting. I especially like her focus on activities around the world. She recently wrote this post about how to make a weighted blanket (great for children with sensory issues).

We can't wait to see your ideas! Great ideas will be chosen and featured on this blog and pinned on Pinterest. Want to chat about your children or class? Drop us a comment or email.

Thanks for stopping by~ If you like this linky, why not sign up for our email in the sidebar, so you won't miss any great activity ideas for kids. For more ideas click on the keywords in the green bar below this post.

Recommended Reading:

Activities to Engage Your Toddler in Small Motor and Gross Motor Activities, Crafts, Language Development and Sensory Play*

Sensory Play for Baby with Music







ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


5 Signs That Your Child May Need a Tutor

Is it time for a Tutor?

Do you need a tutor for you child? Is your child bringing home one bad report card after the other? Have you noticed your child has difficulty studying or doing homework on a particular subject? If so, you should probably consider hiring a tutor to help them study.
This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Does your child need a tutor? Signs your kid needs tutored.
Most children occasionally struggle with school, but when it turns into a rapid decline in grades, frequent meltdowns, and hating going to school, it's time to get a plan in order.
So, what are the signs that your child may need a tutor? Keep reading to learn 5 important signs that you're child may need a tutor.

1. Homework Meltdowns

If your child has regular homework meltdowns, it's probably because they can't understand the task or subject. Of course, don't rule out an optical issue. Be sure they have regular eye check ups. School work might be too advanced for your child's skill level and cause them stress and anxiety.
This is a great time to hire a tutor to help with breaking down tasks and concepts in a simpler way. Tutors often have simple tricks for remembering math facts or other educational short cuts. No matter what the homework, with a tutor's help, your child will gain confidence knowing they can tackle it with better organization and time management skills.


2. Slipping Grades

If your child's grades are slipping gradually or unexpectedly, talk to their teachers to get some insight on the matter. Of course, also talk to your child to see what's going on and if there's a subject they feel they is difficult and frustrating.
When it comes to learning and getting higher grades, getting your child tutoring lessons is very effective in boosting their ability and self-esteem

3. Behavioral Changes

School stress is normal and most children experience stress on some level throughout the school year. However, when the stress over reading, doing homework, and studying for tests becomes chronic, it can start to affect your child's personality, behavior, or happiness in a negative way. This is the time to look into what's happening. In most cases, it is related to difficulties learning or understanding a subject and it might be a good time for a tutor. (Of course it can also be related to eye health, bullying, or a problem with a teacher. so be sure to talk to your child and always ask, "How was your day?")

4. Lack of Interest in Learning

If you notice your child doesn't have any interest in studying or learning, this if often a sign of learning difficulties. Sit with your child and discuss their feelings about school. Then, decide together on hiring a tutor to help.
Math is one of the more difficult subjects for many children and can take down their self-esteem and motivation to learn. A math tutor for kids will not only teach your child how to solve mathematical problems, but they can also provide math tips on easier methods for learning.

5. Learning Disabilities

If your child is still having difficulties, even after tutoring, you might want to test them for possible learning disabilities. These include dyslexia, ADHD, visual processing issues, and dyscalculia. You might be surprised by the results. We were!
We were able to target the best type of treatment. You'll be able to find the best tutor for your child's specific needs.

Does Your Child Need a Tutor? These Tips Will Help You Decide

If you've been wondering if you need a tutor to help your child with school, these tips should help you decide. Before you hire one, talk to your children's teachers and see what additional concerns that they may have. This will help you find the right tutor for your child.
For more kids and parenting tips, check out some of the other articles on my website where you'll find kids activities, school tips, and games ideas.

Recommended:
Free School Lessons from Adventures of Kids Creative Chaos