Tips on Behavior Modification for Toddlers Who Are Hyperactive

Organization

• As a parent, you can help your hyperactive toddler by organizing his day as much as possible. Create a schedule so he wakes up at the same time. As the day progresses, try to keep meals, playtime and chores as predictable as possible, ending with a set bedtime. Create a schedule for your child and put it in a central location. You can even make several copies and place them in areas around the house such as the refrigerator and his bedroom. Because he can̵7;t read, use pictures to indicate his action and the time. Take a digital picture of him waking up and pair it with a picture of the clock in his room. Gently remind him to check his schedule when he is off-task.

Limit Choices

• A hyperactive toddler might become overwhelmed when presented with too many options, prompting a tantrum. As a parent, you can head this off before it begins. For example, if you ask your toddler what he wants for lunch, he might say pizza. He might also have a tantrum if you don̵7;t give him his first choice. Head this off by giving him the opportunity to select from two choices: a peanut butter sandwich or a cheese sandwich.

Rewards

• Rewards offer positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior. Draw a grid on a piece of paper and allow your child to add a sticker to the chart when he follows his schedule or follows instructions. Set a goal for your child. For example, when he earns 10 stickers, he might get some time with you at the park. When he earns 50 stickers, he might earn a trip to the zoo. You can use the same process to stop negative behavior. Clip five clothespins to the chart in the morning. Every time he has a tantrum, he must remove one of the clips. At the end of the day, he gets a sticker for every clip he has left.

Set a Timer

• Toddlers are learning about time. Learning to wait and be patient is an important task. Use a timer to help your child learn about the passage of time. You might tell your child: ̶0;We will have 15 minutes in the tub, and then you can play for 10 minutes before bed.̶1; Set the timer so the child knows that when the timer goes off, it is time to stop the activity. However, it also teaches him to continue a given activity until the timer rings, encouraging him to lengthen his attention span.