Skip to content
Focusing — Hyperactivity

Hyperactivity in Children

Very excited, young girl.

Marcy Willard

Ph.D., NCSP

Last modified 18 Oct 2023

Published 16 Jan 2022

What is Hyperactivity in Children?

Hyperactivity in children is excessive activity and movement. 

Toys and activities may not maintain your child’s interest very long. Hyperactive kids can be exhausting. As a parent, you may think, “We have already been swimming and to the park, and my child is still wanting to go play soccer? I’m beat!” 

Parents may start to wonder if their child’s behavior is normal or if this excessive movement is problematic. Some well-meaning friends and relatives may tell you, “Oh, he’s just being a boy” or “Oh, she’s just a kid, she’ll grow out of it.” Unfortunately, these sentiments are not helpful. As a parent, you may need support for a hyperactive kid.

If your child is hyperactive, they may seem like a buzzing little bee, with a constant, almost boundless supply of energy or constant motion. 

Hyperactive kids talk excessively, move constantly, and never sit still. 

Symptoms of Hyperactivity in Children

  • Acts wound up: hyperactive kids seem to have boundless energy
  • Moves constantly: hyperactive kids are often out of their seat in school, at the dinner table, and when reading a book with parents
  • Fidgets more than other children: hyperactive kids are almost constantly moving, tapping, playing with something, drawing, chewing, or bouncing
  • Gets in trouble at school: hyperactive kids often talk when the teacher is talking, move around the room, or disrupt other children
  • Bumps into other kids: hyperactive kids may have trouble staying in their own space in the classroom or on the playground
  • Makes a mess: hyperactive kids seem to leave toys, school supplies, and other items all over the place
  • Short attention span: hyperactive kids may get distracted easily and not be able to focus on one activity for very long. It may seem like they are bouncing around the room with no clear direction or goal in mind
  • Difficulty with daily activities: hyperactive kids may have trouble completing morning routines or daily tasks. It may be hard to get out the door for school or soccer practice
  • Too loud: hyperactive kids may use an especially loud voice, or may be constantly singing, humming, talking, banging, or making noises
  • Acts as if driven by a motor: hyperactive kids may seem to never stop moving. They feel compelled to move from one activity to the next without finishing tasks

Causes of Hyperactivity in Children

Hyperactivity can have a variety of causes. It is important for parents to have compassion for hyperactive kids. Oftentimes, this excessive movement is the child’s natural body state. Sitting for 5 minutes in a classroom may feel to your child like being stuck in an elevator for hours would feel for you. 

Traditional psychology, in particular the behaviorist approach, was a reinforcement model. They thought that pretty much any behavior could be explained by responses from the environment. Essentially, if a behavior is reinforced it will continue and if it is not, the behavior will go away.

Newer models of child psychology see a behavior like hyperactivity differently. 

“Researchers now see many childhood behaviors as the result of an unregulated nervous system. Hyperactivity, in this model, would be explained by a true neurological difference. The child’s body is having a true challenge with settling down.”

Listed below are some reasons why hyperactivity may be an issue for your child.

Neurological differences in energy levels

Some children have a naturally higher energy level than others. They need more opportunities to move and release energy in order to be happy and successful. As explained previously, this excess energy may be due to a true difference in the ability to regulate the nervous system. 

Due to this excess energy, it may be extremely hard to get your child through their daily routines and out the door in the morning. Your child may walk out of the house, missing one shoe, their coat, their school ID, and all their school supplies. You may feel like you are constantly reminding your child of what they need to do and it feels impossible for them to do it on their own.

Limited exercise

Children need to get regular movement and exercise. Some kids will have extreme difficulties acting calm and sitting still when they haven’t had a chance to exercise. 

If you notice your child is really wound up on a snowy day, while stuck at home, it may be that exercise is important to them in staying calm and regulated. 

Poor eating habits

Kids may be more hyper when they haven’t eaten well. Each child is different so parents will want to watch for patterns. 

If you notice that your child is especially keyed up if they skip breakfast or eat a lot of carbohydrates, you will want to adjust their diet. 

In this same vein, it is important to keep mealtimes consistent. Your child will be better regulated if they eat at about the same time each day. It is common for extremely active children to avoid sitting down to eat and to go for long periods without eating. This pattern will exacerbate hyperactivity and dysregulation. As a parent, you will want to watch for these issues and adjust meal times accordingly.

Sensory processing differences

Children who are more sensory-seeking may be hyperactive. Sometimes these sensory issues and hyperactivity are associated with ADHD or an Autism Spectrum Disorder. These hyperactive kids may enjoy jumping off of high places, slamming into a beanbag chair, or flying off the sofa onto the floor. 

If this is happening, parents will want to take note that this is a sign of a naturally dysregulated nervous system. Rather than punishing kids for these behaviors, try to find safe outlets for this energy. A climbing gym, bouncy castle, or a trampoline can be great places to get the sensory stimulation your child needs.

Mood difficulties 

Children who have mood or anxiety disorders may exhibit hyperactivity or restlessness. Many kids with bipolar disorder will display hyperactive or impulsive behavior. Although this may look like a sign of ADHD or another disorder, often kids with intense feelings will act hyperactive as a way of expressing their emotional disturbance.

Poor sleep 

Children who don’t sleep well can be hyperactive. Sleep issues are actually a very common cause of hyperactivity and other behavioral issues. For this reason, parents will want to be mindful of keeping a consistent schedule and a regular bedtime. Sometimes just tightly adhering to a schedule can be enough to curb hyperactivity.

Sudden life changes 

Children may act hyper or wound up when experiencing a major event. For example, if you are moving across town or across the country, expect that this change will impact your child’s behavior. 

A life change may include a death in the family, a divorce, or a sudden illness of a caregiver. All of these events can cause hyperactivity. If this is the case for your child, stay patient and compassionate with your child. Over time, with consistent support, these behaviors are likely to improve.

Other medical causes 

Children who have other medical issues may be hyperactive. Although the specific medical issues that cause hyperactivity go beyond the scope of this article, parents do need to be aware of potential physical and biological differences. It’s always a good idea to check in with your child’s pediatrician when you notice new behaviors.

ADHD is a potential cause for hyperactivity in kids

Hyperactivity is one of three symptoms associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a common diagnosis for children, especially boys, in the United States. The other symptoms are inattention and impulsivity (acting without thinking). For a diagnosis of ADHD, children must have all three symptoms present across several settings. 

It is important to recognize hyperactivity. Sometimes, hyperactivity is the real issue, not a behavior problem. If your child’s symptoms are pervasive, meaning that this issue happens almost all day, every day, it’s likely a sign of a developmental disorder. Recognizing and treating hyperactivity can help your child avoid getting in trouble for things they cannot help. You can help your family function better by understanding ADHD and related symptoms. 

What to work on with hyperactivity and ADHD 

Parents can work to their child’s strengths and better understand any weaknesses. To learn how to help your hyperactive child, see this hyperactivity course that walks you through helping your child step-by-step. 

Many parents are hesitant to seek a diagnosis of ADHD for fear that their child will be prescribed stimulant medication. Of course, this can be an intimidating process. There are several variables that play into whether or not to pursue medication. The intensity of your child’s condition, the interference of your child’s symptoms with daily life, and your child’s eating and sleeping habits, are all factors in deciding about medication. Because every child has a unique body chemistry and symptom profile, this process can be complex. However, parents need to know that any decisions regarding medication are in their own hands. 

There are other interventions that may be helpful, as noted in the resources below. The most important step a parent can take is to learn more about ADHD. Parent education is right up there with medication as the most effective treatment for ADHD. If parents are educated and engaged, kids get better. 

What about behavior disorders as a cause of hyperactivity? 

Many parents may notice that the ADHD letters are often accompanied by letters like ODD, and CD. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a behavioral disorder, not a neurological, genetic, or developmental issue. This means that behavioral disorders are created in the environment the child inhabits. 

To be clear: the fact that it’s environmental does not mean that ODD is the parent’s fault. What it does mean is that creating a really strong behavioral management program at home and school can essentially ‘cure’ ODD, which is not at all the case for ADHD. Basically, with ODD, if certain behaviors are systematically reinforced and others are systematically extinguished, the kid will start behaving better. 

The same is true for Conduct Disorder. As the name implies, this is another behavioral disorder. Kids with Conduct Disorder tend to break important rules or laws. If the child is diagnosed with a behavior disorder, the parents will need support. The best resource is a consultation with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. 

Although it is often the case that the letters ADHD are accompanied by ODD or CD, as psychologists, we find this to be heartbreaking and preventable. If a child with ADHD gets appropriate treatment and support there is no reason to assume that the path ahead will be paired with a major behavioral disorder. 

For these reasons, parents are wise to provide therapeutic support for kids with hyperactivity, impulsivity, or attention problems early and often. Many kids can learn to live with these challenges and find success in life. 

What to Do To Help Hyperactive Kids

There are a variety of strategies you can use to help your hyperactive kid. In fact, parents are the primary interventionists who can truly make a difference with their child. Creating structure, consistency, and routine can truly change some of these behaviors and those changes can come quickly. Here are a few ideas.

  • Provide and follow a schedule. Perhaps the most important strategy of all is to provide a clear and consistent schedule for your child. When a child’s schedule is predictable, transitions can go more smoothly. Schedules can help your child sleep better, eat better, and ultimately regulate their nervous system. It takes a bit of effort but if you are consistent with your schedule, you will likely see much improvement in your child’s behavior
  • Allow many outlets for your child’s energy. Activities like swimming, horseback riding, and gymnastics can be therapeutic for a very active child
  • Think carefully before taking your child to a quiet venue. A tea party, movie theater, library, story time at the bookstore, or adult birthday party may not be a good idea. Your child may not be able to maintain their composure in such quiet places
  • Read with your child about hyperactivity. A list of kids’ books, such as Personal Space Camp [5] and Ms. Gorski, I Think I Have The Wiggle Fidgets [6], is provided below. Reading these books with your child can help ‘put a name on’ their challenges. They can learn that many children have the same struggles [5,6,7,8,9]

Hyperactive Kids at Different Ages

Hyperactive kids during toddler years

Because of the younger age, parents and providers will want to be patient and conservative about making any conclusions. Many toddlers will grow out of these hyperactive behaviors. However, and this is important: some kids can have significant issues with hyperactivity by the age of 1 or 2. These kids seem to almost never sit still. They jump from one toy to the next without ever pausing to enjoy any activity. It seems like their motor is running on high at all times. 

Even when you try to introduce some quiet time or calming activities, your child may stay wound up and active. They may accidentally hurt themselves, their pets, and their family members. It may seem impossible to keep their attention for more than a minute or two.

The earlier you intervene, the better. Start with your pediatrician. If you hear the classic line, “he’s just being a boy,” but you know something is unusual in your child’s behavior, keep looking. You may consider an evaluation at the Children’s Hospital or at a clinic with a local child psychologist. 

Hyperactive kids during preschool years

By preschool, it is typically evident if a child’s activity level is unusually high for the child’s age. Even at this young age, typically developing children can focus on an activity like playing with blocks or dolls, for 10-15 minutes without much difficulty. We expect preschoolers to complete small tasks like stacking blocks, pouring water into a cup, or cleaning up supplies from an art project independently. If something is amiss at this age, your child will seem to ignore instructions. 

Your child’s teacher may mention that they seem like they don’t notice when the other kids are transitioning from one activity to the next. Your child may be the last one to line up for recess or the last one to come in from the playground each day. They may prefer highly physical activities like jumping off of playground equipment. They may have a hard time sitting still for circle time or to read a story with the teacher.

Hyperactive kids in elementary school years

In elementary school, you will want to see your child exhibiting ‘goal-directed behavior.’ This term is what psychologists use to describe how a child navigates through the tasks in their daily life. If the child seems easily distracted, jumping around without completing anything, we would say they are not exhibiting ‘goal-directed behavior.’ 

Your child’s teacher may notice that work is not getting done and that, instead, your child tends to wander the classroom. Your child may run around as if it’s recess during quiet activities at school. 

These tendencies, although fairly innocent on the part of your child, will likely be seen as negative behaviors in the classroom. For this reason, you are going to want to be in touch with the school and develop a behavior plan. The most important behavior management technique is positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior. 

Your child may have to work very hard to complete tasks and focus in class. If adults want those behaviors to continue, they must be reinforced immediately. Sticker charts, marble jars, or other token systems can be exchanged for meaningful rewards. Punishment and other punitive methods will be ineffective in changing behavior and may make matters worse. Make sure to get involved with your child’s school to support this process.

Hyperactive kids in teen years

In the teen years, hyperactive children tend to have difficulties with completing tasks and being organized. Teens may have trouble with time management. They may be forgetful. They might show up for activities, ‘a day late and a dollar short’. It may be hard for them to turn assignments in on time. They may display some impulsive behavior too. 

These hyperactive children tend to take big risks during their teen years. They may enjoy roller coasters, rock climbing, mountain biking, gymnastics, cliff diving, snowboarding, and other more extreme sports and activities. 

The most important support a parent can put in place is a consistent schedule. Make sure that your teenager gets to bed at the same time each night, wakes up at about the same time in the morning, and eats consistent meals. The more consistent parents are with maintaining these structured routines and schedules, the better a hyperactive teenager will do.

When to Seek Help for Hyperactivity in Children

You may want to seek help when hyperactivity is getting in the way of your child’s daily life, success at school, in social endeavors, in sports, or at home. As a child grows, their brain development will progress at different rates. If the child has ADHD, research shows that their brain development in the area of executive functioning is about two years behind peers. 

A child with this delay will be more emotionally erratic than peers. Researchers call this ‘emotional impulsivity’ and it can be a significant challenge. It may be harder for them to sit still, pay attention for long periods, complete mundane tasks, and organize materials. 

The term psychologists use to describe significantly hyperactive kids is, ‘acts as if driven by a motor’. Kids with this type of behavior may accidentally break objects due to playing too forcefully or intensely. Your child’s friends in the neighborhood may say that they broke one of their toys or that they ‘play too rough.’ These would all be signs that your child’s hyperactivity is significant and is interfering with daily life. 

Hyperactivity tends to be a problem when it is ‘getting in the way’ of your child’s happiness. Parents may be concerned if their children are constantly in trouble for being out of their seat. There also may be issues with social skills, resulting in lots of peer conflict or negative social interactions. 

They may have trouble controlling their bodies, constantly getting hurt or accidentally hurting other kids. The ‘lost and found’ may seem to have your child’s name on it. Your child may be very disorganized, losing school supplies or keeping a messy desk or locker. Often, when the child begins to struggle in multiple areas, their self-esteem will take a hit. They will begin to feel something is wrong with them. These are all signs that hyperactivity is a significant issue for your child and it is time to seek help. 

If you are wondering about your child’s levels of hyperactivity, you could seek out an assessment for ADHD from a medical doctor or psychologist. 

  • Behavioral therapy can help your child with hyperactive symptoms and inattentive symptoms. This therapy provides meaningful reinforcement for on-task behavior and task completion
  • A tutor or executive functioning coach can help your child learn how to get started on homework and to finish assignments
  • School supports help children who have hyperactivity, attention challenges, and poor working memory.
  • Examples of school accommodations to meet your child’s needs include…

…Extra time

…Reminders for tasks

…Movement breaks

…Breaking assignments into manageable chunks

…Visual schedule for daily activities and routines

Further Resources on Hyperactivity in Children

  • Psychologist or neuropsychologist: to help with an evaluation for diagnostic clarification
  • Developmental pediatrician: to help guide behavioral and medical treatment. These doctors specialize in children with developmental concerns. They can be a helpful resource for diagnosis or treatment.
  • ABA therapist (applied behavior analysis): to help increase desired behaviors, such as appropriate motor activities, and to decrease undesired behaviors, such as excessive running at the wrong times. Uses the principles of reinforcement
  • Executive functioning tutor or coach: to help your child focus and organize school work and keep up with study skills 
  • School psychologist: to help you pursue a Section 504 plan at school or work with you and your child’s teacher to make a plan for success
  • Child psychiatrist: to help you learn more about medications that can help with hyperactivity

Similar Conditions to Hyperactivity in Children

  • Attention challenges: children who are hyperactive may also have difficulty with attention, which may lead to challenges remembering things like names, following directions, and completing tasks at school
  • Executive functioning challenges: children who are hyperactive may also have difficulties related to planning, sequencing, and organizing information
  • Cognitive processing challenges: children who are hyperactive may have trouble with fluency in cognitive processing. A child may not encode information if they are a visual learner and may not be good at auditory learning
  • Impulsivity: children who are hyperactive may also have issues with impulsivity (acting without thinking) 
  • Social skills challenges: children who are hyperactive may have poor social skills due to excessive activity levels, failure to read social cues, and the tendency to violate personal space

References for Hyperactivity in Children

[1] Barkley, Russell A. (2013). Taking charge of ADHD, 3rd edition: The complete, authoritative guide for parents.

[2] Zeigler Dendy, Chris A. (2011). Teaching teens with ADD, ADHD & executive function deficits: A quick reference guide for teachers and parents.

[3] Giler, Janet Z. (2011). Socially ADDept: Teaching social skills to children with ADHD, LD, and Asperger’s.

[4] Kroncke, Anna P., & Willard, Marcy & Huckabee, Helena (2016). Assessment of autism spectrum disorder: Critical issues in clinical forensic and school settings. Springer, San Francisco.

For kids

[5] Cook, Julia (2012). Personal space camp.

[6] Esham, Barbara (2015). Mrs. Gorski, I think I have the wiggle fidgets. (New edition) (Adventures of everyday geniuses.)

[7] Smith, Bryan & Griffen, Lisa M. (2016). What were you thinking? Learning to control your impulses (Executive function).

[8] Cook, Julia (2006). My mouth is a volcano.

[9] Stein, David Ezra (2011). Interrupting chicken.