How to Calm a Hyper Toddler

If you have a hyper toddler, you are not alone. Toddlers, by nature, tend to have more energy than most older kids and adults because they have less to worry about. Less stress and worries mean better sleep and more energy for them to spend exploring all the sensory delights life has to offer.

It’s also important to keep in mind that toddlers are only beginning to be able to express and regulate their emotions. “I couldn’t understand why he kept throwing toys we just cleaned up all over the room," Gina W. shared with Mom.com. "Turns out he was just really excited by the toys and wasn’t ready to stop playing.” The mom of two said that this realization helped her cope with her son’s hyper behaviors. “He continued to play with them for another few hours,” she added.

There are a variety of reasons why kids are hyper. It could be something as small as exploring new situations and trying new things, to a symptom of other underlying conditions.

Testing limits and exploring
Ah, to be young again. While you never stop learning throughout your life, toddlers are learning a lot about their environment and their limits. Which is one reason why kids tend to be well-behaved and follow the rules when they’re with people they are less familiar with like teachers or babysitters. When it comes to their parents and caregivers, they’re more likely to be wild, carefree, and test boundaries with the people they feel safest with.

Being overtired
We all know the hyper frenzy that comes before the inevitable crazy when your kiddo is overtired. Making sure they get enough good quality sleep every night (and nap time) can do wonders in regulating their energy levels throughout the day.

A possible symptom of ADHD
Having a kid with a lot of energy is normal for many parents. But there is a fine line between having a high-energy child and that hyperactivity possibly being a symptom of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

“As a parent or caregiver, the time to take action is when the hyperactive behaviors cause interference with schoolwork or making friends,” Rachel Slick, a behavioral health therapist, told UCHealth.

So if you observe your kid’s hyperactive behavior holding them back or distracting them from what they should be doing, it’s worth mentioning to their medical provider.

You have had it up to here with chasing your kiddos around like the adorable yet high-energy maniacs they are. So instead of losing your patience with your toddler not listening to your pleas to settle down, try out some of these strategies instead.

Routines
Whether it’s getting ready for school, lunchtime, or bedtime, making a routine part of the activity they’re preparing for will set the expectation for what comes next. For example, if they know part of the routine to get ready for school involves putting their toys away and getting their backpack ready to go, it allows them to focus on the task at hand and help everyone get out the door with less chaos.

Music and mindfulness
There is nothing like the right kind of music to set the mood. In this case, putting on calming music that supports your child's relaxation, or even something familiar that they enjoy, can help calm them down. It can also be a filler or white noise in the background during mindfulness and breathing activities that focus on redirecting their energy.

Talking about how they’re feeling
Sometimes the wild, intense energy is because your little one is frustrated and is unable to communicate their feelings. When you’re talking to your kids keep a few things in mind. "Rule number one is that the adult needs to be calm. Kneel down to the child's level and lower your voice. Speak slower and lower," said Lea Keating, founder of Sensory Street Kids.

Even though you might be frustrated about how they are expressing themselves, you can communicate with them clearly and calmly. At the end of the day, it will help everyone better understand what’s going on.