I Think My 2 Year Old Is Hyperactive

Updated on May 17, 2009
L.B. asks from Roosevelt, UT
17 answers

my daughter is 27 months and she gets up around 6 in the morning and runs around always active throughout the day. She only stops for a nap doesnt fight about that. most of the time she is constantly on the move she doesnt stop is she too hyperactive or am i just imagining it.

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E.B.

answers from Provo on

Sounds very normal to me. I would be happy that she runs around and likes to play. It helps her sleep better. I wouldn't worry.

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J.H.

answers from Provo on

It's just her personality. She probably will end up doing something special in life with all that energy and motivation. Be glad she's taking her nap. =) Perfectly normal.

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T.C.

answers from Provo on

Sounds very normal to me. My son is exactly the same way. But he is very smart and learns things well. He just always needs something to do. I think it's part of the curiosity and exploration that makes them want to do and learn so much.

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C.P.

answers from Provo on

2 is a fun age. My youngest is the most active child that I have. I sometimes wonder if he is more active or I am just more tired. Just give her lots of things to expand her attention span. Maybe get her in a play group. Pre-school is a life saver for me. My son had to learn to deal with other kids and stand in line and follow directions. He is older now and will even sit still and watch a TV show now. Maybe you can get her involved in soccer and give her a purpose for all that running. My older son is about as close to being a slug as a boy can be and I would rather have the activity.

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K.D.

answers from Denver on

Sounds normal. Our son is almost three, and is far busier than our older one was. He hits the ground running in the morning. He sits still long enough to eat and to fall asleep. He's very serious about both. It's really a blessing to have someone so active. Just keep her well-occupied. If your looking for something for a quiet activity, we have the videos from "Your Baby Can Read". He loves those. They also have some other things. We got the Italian DVD. He asks to do "school" all the time, now. He'll watch for maybe 20 minutes. It's not long, but it is a nice break. He's not much of one to watch TV which our older one was. We send the boys outside to play a lot. Two is probably a bit young to send out by herself :), but you could go out and read of something while she plays is you don't have the energy to play with her. Have fun. This is a short lived, fun stage. If you direct her well, you'll both survive quite happily.

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J.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Sounds like she's 2. My kids have all been like this. If you're concerned, talk to your pediatrician, but she sounds normal to me.

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S.S.

answers from Denver on

She sounds like a typical 2 yr old. My 2 yr old wakes up running and hits the bed the same way. I can take him to the park for hours each day and he still has energy to spare.

I just recommend doing your best to get some of the physical energy out is running around with her yourself (even in circles!).

I do NOT believe it is hyperactivity. They are just typical young child with energy to spare. Have fun!

Have a GREAT weekend!

S.

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C.W.

answers from Provo on

Don't be too quick to label your child. At 2 its pretty hard to tell if she is truly hyper-active. A lot of kids run around. It is more a matter of attention span, which is pretty small at that age, anyway. Be thankful she takes a nap! A lot of kids don't. anyway, what could you do about it if she is? You wouldn't want to medicate her at this age, if ever.Try doing quiet things with her to calm her down. Take her on walks, visit interesting places together. This will teach her how to be attentive to what the two of you are doing.

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C.C.

answers from Denver on

Your daughter sounds like a pretty normal 2 yr old with a love for life and energy to match. If she will sit with you and read a book or sing songs with you or do an activity with you, even a physical activity, then she is most likely not ADHD. As a general rule those kids just cant ever sit still and have a lot of trouble concentrating.

If you're really concerned, ask your pediatrician about it.

Here is a link to an article that has some good information from a medical provider regarding this subject, including a basic assessment test.

Good luck and enjoy your bundle of energy!

http://www.drgreene.com/21_569.html

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D.K.

answers from Denver on

She sounds like a very NORMAL 2 year old! They are busy, have all these new milestones, can go and go and go. She is napping and that is great, make sure you keep her stimulated with fun activities, puzzles can help them try and sit and stay focused but don't count on that until she is close to 3. Kids that age have endless energy.

Be careful not to overdo sugar, juices as that just adds to the energy and they do not need juices with lot's of sugar.
Maybe just make sure she gets outside, at the park, long walks or whatever outside thing to burn off steam. Seems my kids are tuckered out after being outside alot during the day and more able to relax with a movie while I make dinner or something.

My son didn't start sitting down to play with one certain thing until he was close to three. Now at five he is busy but sits and does legos and things and can go play off by himself for a while. Also think about getting her involved with kids her age, kids get so much out of play with their peers. Try even enrolling her in a age appropriate gym class or something.

DO NOT WORRY, some kids are more wound up, my daughter was one to chill, draw, color, paint and relax more during the day unless we were outside, my son however never sat down for a second other then naps and bedtime!! :) All kids are different.

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T.W.

answers from Denver on

I think you have to establish what kind of active she is. Does she listen to instruction and follow it, or does she go wild no matter what you try. Keep in mind she is 2 and they are known for defiance, however you know if she is simply out of control or what I call just "Busy". ALL of my kids never stop, they are far more active than any of my friends kids, yet I have never had a problem giving them direction or asking them to "Take 5" if need be. If you are really worried, take her over to see the doc, they are great at helping you establish whether or not there is a really a problem or if you just have an energetic kid.

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J.B.

answers from Denver on

Kids with ADD & ADHD usually improve at some level when food additives and sugars are removed form their diets.

Thirty years ago, I began to search for solutions for our daughter diagnosed with ADD at a time where there weren’t many. It didn’t take too long and I found a book by Dr. Fiengold. He was the first to make the connection between food additives and sugars in processed foods with hyperactivity.

After reading his book, I knew I had to change my purchasing habits, not only for our daughter, but for the entire family. I figured I didn’t have anything to lose. We drastically reduced the amount of sugars in our diets and eliminated all food additives. Within a couple of weeks, our daughter was a new child! Our food supply has changed from whole foods to processed foods and we don't even realize it> http://www.babybites.info/2008/04/10/a-sad-diet/

We found that my daughter could not tolerate most of the additives in our food supply. For her food colorings and nitrates would always trigger ADHD symptoms. Nitrates are in all packaged lunch-meats, and most pork products like ham, bacon and sausage. She's grown and married now, but, today, nitrates still give her headaches. Red and yellow food colorings were the worst additives for Jenny and would immediately trigger symptoms of hyperactivity. MSG is another additive that can cause problems. It often produces headaches (MSG actually kills brain cells), not just in people with ADD/ADHD, either. MSG can be hard to identify on products, as it hides in a multitude of names. I think you'll find this helpful> http://www.babybites.info/2008/12/11/picky-eater-add/

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K.M.

answers from Boise on

I've got an almost 3 year old boy that is the same way. He's not hyperactive, just very, very energetic. Just be prepared with activities to wear her out so she expends energy in a positive manner. If my guy isn't active enough, he'll start to act out. Good luck!

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J.N.

answers from Salt Lake City on

She may be hyperactive, but chances are she's just an active 2 year old. Except in extreme cases, ADD or ADHD won't be diagnosed until kindergarten or first grade. There's just too much of a range of normal at 2 to tell. My daughter was the same way, and as ADD/ADHD has been in my family I was worried. But at 10 she is just fine and we have no concern.

(btw, real sugar has little do to with hyperactivity in kids, whether its normal energy levels or ADHD. You don't want to give her a ton but don't be over restrictive either)

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G.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Not hyperactive - just active. My daughter was and is the same kind of human being as yours.

If your girl stops for a nap, make the most of it while you can. My little girl she gave up naps entirely at around 308 months, with her doctor's blessing. She has always needed less sleep and more physical activity than is average, and at 8 years old is a vibrant, imaginative, busy, whirlwind of a girl. She is also more fit and coordinated than is average.

It could be that your daughter is just destined to be a very active person. Embrace it - she will have the motivation and energy to keep moving, keep fit, and joyfully explore her world.

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S.W.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Sounds pretty normal. It's not as if two-year-olds feel compelled by social norms to hold still or not jump and climb in public, and it's not as if she has work to do (balancing the checkbook) that would make her be stationary for long periods of time.
If you wish she had more down time, consider making it a point to sit down with her and read stories during the day and do some simple puzzles. Maybe you could get involved in a mommy-and-me type gymnastics class to focus her physical energy in a positive direction. So many U.S. kids are struggling with issues related to obesity; if your daughter is naturally active it's probably a good thing.
Best wishes!

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C.H.

answers from Denver on

Sounds pretty normal to me. I've known lots of people with kids like this. She has lots of energy, and it only seems hyper because you and I aren't like that. But lots of kids are.

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