Energy refers to how active someone is. Some children move around a lot, others can sit still for longer, and some are less active.
Some children seem to have more active minds, you may notice your child talks more or asks a lot of questions than others, or finds it difficult to sleep.
If your child is high energy it can be quite overwhelming as a parent and can also be overwhelming for the child due to the amount going on in their body and mind. For some young people this can lead to challenges in behaviour and mood. Prioritise self-care and time for your child to talk.
If your child has low energy it can be difficult to motivate them. The Change for Life website has activities that encourage movement, alongside information on food and recipes.
Sleep can also be impacted by other factors present on your need summary, including sensory and emotional regulation differences. A lack of sleep or tiredness can affect these other areas as your child may find it difficult to regulate their sensory needs or emotions when tired. Remember, your child is an individual, so it’s important to identify what works for your child with regard to their bedtime and sleep routine. Checking your child’s sleep environment encourages sleep helps to make sure they can rest effectively.
Useful resources
Books
- Sleep Tight! Mindful Kids (Dr Sharie Coombes, 2021)
- Winstan Wallaby Can’s Stop Bouncing (K.I.Al-Ghandi and Joy Beaney, 2017)
- Breathing is My Superpower: Mindfulness Books for Kids to Feel Calm and Peaceful (Alicia Ortego, 2020)
Videos
- This talk is delivered by Dr Rachel Hussey, NELFT’s Consultant Clinical Psychologist, covers creating the right environment for sleep, the biology of sleep and coping with night waking.
- Autism sleep specialist Lindsey Clark as she gives some tips on helping your neurodivergent child get to sleep and stay asleep.
- This film also has sleep tips to help your child fall asleep.
- This video looks into the underlying mechanisms, symptoms, lifestyle and treatment associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Good sleep hygiene is all about putting yourself in the best position to sleep well each and every night.
- Three fun relaxation activities for high energy kids.