SPIRITED KIDS NEED CARE

An all too familiar sight at a mall or a supermarket are kids who seem to be fitted with springs. They jump and dash around from one place to another, kicking up a fuss. Some even decide to throw temper tantrums, bang in the middle of a crowd, even as helpless, embarrassed parents look on.
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Parents of such “hyper active” kids who are often subject to unsolicited advice from pitiful onlookers, on how to be a better parent, will be relieved to know that they aren’t bad parents. ‘Spirited’ children is a term used to describe difficult children who need to be handled with more care than others. “A spirited child has high needs and demands,” explains psychologist Dr. Varkha Chulani. “They get overwhelmed by their feelings and often have meltdowns when they can’t handle or understand what is happening to them. In fact, their ability to express themselves loudly is often a sign that they are more in touch with their emotions than other kids. In spite of being extremely moody, spirited children are high artistic, intelligent, intensely logical, compassionate and goal-oriented,” she adds.
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Since some children are genetically and psychologically different from others, their challenging behaviour is often interpreted as willful disobedience.
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Sugatha Memon, a teacher and counsellor says, “People often think that spirited children are “bad kids”. They resort to destructiveness and ill manners, because they can’t differentiate between right and wrong easily. It is difficult for them to learn to be tactful and polite as they are very straightforward with their feelings. For instance if your child is hitting somebody on the playground, he/she needs to be taken aside and given a warning with an explanation as to why such behaviour will not tolerated by anyone.”
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The key to tackle such children is to understand certain patterns in their behaviour feels Dr Varkha Chulani. “Some children may reject food even when they are hungry because they get used to a pattern of always rejecting food just to throw a tantrum. This behaviour is common and can be triggered by various factors. Parents need to be constantly on the look out for potential triggers,” adds Dr. Chulani.
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Getting these children interested in hobbies also helps them keep calm and occupied, feels advertising personality Prahlad Kakkar. “Its normal for most children to be spirited, joyous and active. However if the child is overtly spirited all the time, then he/she could have a hyperactive disorder. They just need a lot of care, love and attention. Find out what interests them. Physical activity and yoga has tremendous benefits on hyperactive kids,” he said.
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