How to turn off brain for a kid

[AshesofStars]

My daughter is 5 years old undiagnosed, but her dad has ADD. She said that she has trouble turning off her brain. Does anyone have advice on skills I could teach her to help or things that you do to "turn off your brain"? Thank you!

[Birdwatcher19]

Teach her mindfulness skills. She doesn’t need to “turn off” her brain. She can learn to notice her thoughts but not follow them, and learn to notice sensations in her body. She can use her five senses to notice things around her, which will help her to quiet her brain and bring her back to the present moment. “Belly breathing” (diaphragmatic breathing) and progressive relaxation exercises are also great. There are tons of apps and videos out there for kids. Stop, Breathe, Think is one. Sitting Still Like a Frog is an awesome book that comes with audio exercises (these are available free online). Anything by Christopher Willard is great; he has lots of cute breathing exercises for kids (e.g., hot cocoa breathing or soup breathing, to encourage them to breathe out slowly). I like to use bubbles to teach kids belly breathing, too (try to make a big bubble by breathing out slowly). Here’s a link to a free download from Additude magazine with mindfulness exercises for kids: additudemag.com/download/mi...

[IgnoranceWasNotBliss]

To be honest, I don’t think you can turn it off without medication. I never learned how to. Our mind is ALWAYS doing something. If she’s having trouble with sleep I highly recommend a children’s magnesium at night and defuser with sleep and/or anxiety essential oils.

For day time racing brain, we just work better when our brain is doing something it’s interested in. Having music on in the background as she plays can keep her mind busier. Helping her “find interests” can help her and you figure out what catches her attention. When you find something good that catches her attention, double down on it. Let her immerse herself in it. As long as it’s a productive and healthy interest. Baking (good reward in the end!), a musical instrument, a sport. Off a lot of positive reinforcement. When we are interested and engaged, we don’t tend to have negative racing brain. We have positive racing brain.

Have you looked into the positive parenting techniques for adhd children? I haven’t yet because I was just diagnosed but I’m positive my son has it so I’ll be doing that soon. There are also a lot of supplements that adhd children tend to be deficient in. If you’re not going to have her diagnosed yet maybe do some research on the supplements and add some in. You can also ask you pediatrician for a blood test to test her iron (specifically ferritin, below 30 you should supplement with adhd children), zinc, B vitamins, stuff like that.

Some of the main ones out there in studies are iron, zinc, magnesium (I recommend this regardless as it can have a relaxing effect. For night use), B-complex especially B6 and Omega 3 fatty acids with a higher EPA. The omega 3 has a lot of research and is highly recommended in children for helping to manage symptoms. It doesn’t hurt to come up with a plan with your dr to “treat” her as if she has adhd with vitamins and positive parenting technics. Looking into some CBT won’t hurt either. It’s also a good idea to learn about coexisting conditions that can occurs with adhd. Just so you know what to look for. Things like learning disabilities, eye problems, sleep apnea, sensory disorders (sensory issues are huge in my family). Now, she does NOT necessarily have any of these things. But, if you know about them, you could notice something and have it checked! Early intervention is exactly what she would need.

Also, I may not be totally sure about this, but I think there is a parents of adhd support group???? I think when I found this there was a choice between adult and parent???? Honestly I can’t remember but there has to be!! Many parents are in your position trying to figure this out.

I hope something here helps.