Keeping Fidgety Kids Engaged and Listening
Let Kids Use Their Energy in Productive Ways
I love my son to death, but he cannot stay still for the life of him. Ever. So, throughout the years, we've figured out ways of dealing with his distracted nature. We even put it to good use. From flexible seating options at school, proper fidget toys to keep his hands busy and undistracted, to getting him moving indoors and out it's all about finding a focus for that uncontrollable energy. As much as he loves video games, and they do keep his hands busy, an incredibly important factor is getting his whole body moving outdoors. Luckily Go Trax makes that fun with the GKS Electric Kids Scooter. It's perfect for keeping fidgety kids engaged and working towards a goal.
Disclaimer: This review was done by team member Emily. She was provided product in exchange for her honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are her own and were not influenced by the developing company and/or its affiliates in any way.
Misconceptions About Fidgety Kids
Most assume all fidgety kids have ADD or ADHD, but this isn't always the case. Younger kids, especially, are simply not getting enough time in their days to be active. They naturally have more energy anyway (don't you wish you could bottle it?) which leads to adults feeling that they are misbehaving or acting out. That or they are labeled as having a disorder.
My son genuinely has diagnosed issues, but the medicine only goes so far. I don't want him zoned out and unable to focus because of that. So we work at home and with his school to have a 504 plan in place so he can have the adaptations he needs. Before that, some felt he was struggling to keep up, but he actually incredibly smart, he just needs to be able to focus on what he is learning and he is fine.
Making Accommodations
It's actually quite simple to accommodate fidgety kids, even if it is a delicate balance. For my son, I need to make sure I completely have his focus before trying to tell him something. Yes, this means I need to slow down and make sure he is really paying attention. Then I ask him to not only repeat what I said to be sure he got it but to also further cement it in his memory.
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At school, he has flexible seating or one of those pads that allows him to squirm around on it without leaving his seat. He is allowed to have fidget toys, but only silent, non-distracting ones in the classroom. Being able to keep his hands moving actually keeps the rest of him quite still and focused 90% of the time.
Get Them Moving
As my son gets older he is subjected to more and more desk time, and less and less recess time at school. Even at home all he wants to do is sit with his video games. If I get distracted and end up letting him just sit most of the day, we all pay for it by nightfall. He is antsy and is desperate to just get out of the house and "do something." Yet, it's far too late. So every afternoon I encourage him to get up and run around with his siblings.
Lately, though, he's been anxious to get out himself and ride his new Go Trax GKS Electric Scooter. It's made especially for kids ages 9 and up. And while it is an electric scooter, he has to kick it to get started and often still uses his kicks for balance. He's focused on the micro-movements balancing requires. He's able to get out and go down the street to his friends' house and play. He can race them on our slow street or down the sidewalks. It helps with goal setting, such as completing the race or riding so far and so fast. It also improves his interpersonal skills by engaging and interacting with others.
Promoting Activity
Inevitably his friends want a go and so he's suddenly on their bikes. Or on their non-electric scooters or just running with them. It's great! He is ready to take his training wheels off his bike but has yet to actually try and ride. Yet he mastered balancing on the scooter in no time. While it's dialed into a safe 10 PMH max, he loves how fast it goes. He can leave it to charge overnight in the garage and when he gets home from school he's right back off on the scooter. The battery lasts a full 7.5 miles worth of riding so it never runs out on him in the neighborhood.
And being active makes a HUGE reduction in how fidgety he is the rest of the day. He sleeps better and thus is more rested for school, leading to better focus there. There is this wonderful cumulative effect that leads to less fidgeting overall throughout his days. He's still my boy that's always on the go, that hasn't changed. It's his use of movement that has improved. He has more meaningful movements and doesn't dance around when he's trying to talk and lose his train of thought.
Working Together and Finding What Works
It's sadly true that too many kids just don't get the activity that their body needs each day. This leads to fidgety kids and frustrated adults. Find something like my son found the Go Trax GKS Electric Scooter that gets them excited to get moving. If it's raining? Try some instructional dance videos indoors and have a dance party. There's always something fun to do. It even helps me stay in better shape if I get active with him. I find I sleep better at the end of the day as well. Keeping active improves mental function and means that kids can listen better and focus on what they are supposed to.
Even kids who have genuinely been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD or similar issues see great improvement when they are allowed to actively move and more often. So Let's stop focusing on the behaviors being "bad" and actively try to help. I love this scooter as much as my son. It was easy to assemble and feels solid. It only weighs around 17.8lbs so it's easy for him to move around and carry himself. The electric motor is only activated when HE wants it to go and he is in full control. He loves riding loops around while his siblings chase him. That way everyone gets a workout! Ha! So truly, the benefits abound and it really worth checking out.
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I do love the balance that's required from using a scooter. This one sounds great!
My grandkids really seem to need their time outside and to be physically active. It seems to settle and focus them when they have opportunities to move and play.
Ohh this would be perfect for my sons and daughter upcoming birthday