Iowa 4-H Clover Kid's Connection

Did I get your attention?

Anyone who has worked with a group that had a child with ADHD in it knows what I'm talking about when I say "surviving" ADHD. It can be a very challenging experience and sometimes you just hope you can survive! Of course we in 4-H want to do more than just survive - we want to help children thrive! Here are a few ideas to help that happen:

I have a few ideas and a few resources to share:
1. Give the child something to do with their hands. I've had great success with a balloon filled with rice or sand. Just use a funnel to fill it and tie it shut. When a child has to sit and listen for an extended period of time, give them the balloon - making sure they know they can keep it as long as they just hold it. Don't be surprised if the rest of the group wants one - in that case - I just tell them they can make one later. (And make sure they get that opportunity.)

2. Keep directions short and simple. Get them DOING right away. I use picture directions whenever possible and I also plan long activities in short steps with stations set up for each section of the activity.

3. Don't add to the energy in the room. Plan quiet activities in between games, use a quiet voice, etc.

4. Keep communication open with the child's family. They will have strategies they use at home and that are used at school to share with you!

5. Remember to use good discipline and group management techniques - choices!

Check out the advice on this site:

http://www.adhd-made-simple.com/ADHD_Children.html

What strategies have you used?

Posted by Joan at 08:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ever ask a question and hear crickets chirping? I know I have!

How can you ask a question and get the types of answers you are looking for? By using the right word at the beginning of the question!

If we can get used to starting questions with the right words, we can help children build great communication skills and guide them through great discussions in the Experiential Learning Process. What words am I talking about? Starting questions with these words encourage longer more thoughtful answers.

What if "What happened" "What if"

How "How did you decide" "How did that"

Tell me "Tell me about...."

We also want to avoid using words that allow children to answer the question in one word. Typically, starting questions with these words encourages short, one word answers.

Who
When
Which
Can
Whose

One trick I like to use - write the questions down as you write your plans! It takes the pressure off!

Posted by Joan at 08:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I think the easiest way to help children through the Experiential Learning Process is to be involved with them as they do the activities. I tell people in my workshop that being involved is important for group management and that's true, but it is also important to help children do the activities, think about what they are experiencing and apply that in another area of their lives.

When you are involved, the questioning process of Experiential Learning gets simplified because you can see what they are experiencing and ask open ended questions about it. You can ask open ended questions about what they think is happening and help them brainstorm ways they've seen this experience used in other areas or help them use what they've done in a different way. But you have to be involved to help them catch the excitement and be engaged enough in the activity to think about it!

Posted by Joan at 03:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)