Winston Wallaby Can’t Stop Bouncing. Kay Al-Ghani

      Introduction

      Having a child with hyperactivity can be bewildering, frustrating and, of course, exhausting.

      This is the child who is constantly fidgeting and unable to sit still.

      The child who loves rough-and-tumble play, climbing, running, leaping and jumping, even in the most inappropriate places.

      The child who constantly bumps and crashes into objects and people, seemingly unaware of personal space, at a time when other children of the same age understand it well.

      The child who may have a high pain threshold and who enjoys the tightest of bear hugs.

      The child who seems to crave the speedy, the spinning, the intensity of movement.

      The child who likes nothing better than to fling off clothes and shoes.

      The child of nature, at home with animals and the great outdoors.

      The child who may need to touch people and things, often to the point of embarrassment.

      The child who finds it hard to concentrate and thrive at school.

      If this is your child and you were offered a magic potion that would dampen down this hyperactive system and restore peace and tranquillity, you may be tempted to take it, and no one would blame you. However, if you took a few minutes to understand how this may affect their perception of the world, you may be more reticent and exhaust other strategies first. Might it be better to train your child to recognise their sensory needs and give them tools and strategies to work with? Why not celebrate the positive aspects of hyperactivity? Nurture and train the speed and agility that may one day be honed into the next Olympian.

      Winston Wallaby

       Can’t Stop Bouncing

      Winston Wallaby, like most wallabies, was an excellent bouncer.

      However, Winston just couldn’t sit still.

      Winston bounced when he was happy.

      He bounced when he was sad.

      He bounced when he was hungry.

      He bounced when he was mad.

      Winston bounced on the sofa,

      He bounced on the chairs,

      He bounced in the hallway,

      He bounced up the stairs.

      Winston bounced in the garden,

      He bounced in the store,

      He bounced on every windowsill,

      He bounced through every door.

      In fact, the only time Winston stopped bouncing was when he finally fell asleep!

      At first light of dawn, Winston jumped out of bed for a whole new day of bouncing.

      Winston’s family had got used to his non-stop bounciness.

      His mummy learned to put away breakables when Winston was around.

      His daddy learned to put away his tools.

      Granny and Grandpa learned to stay clear if Winston was in full bounce.

      It was almost time for Winston Wallaby to be starting school.

      Mummy Wallaby told him he would need to take care.

      Daddy Wallaby told him he must learn to sit in a chair.

      Granny Wallaby told him he must listen to his teacher.

      Grandpa Wallaby told him, “Don’t be such a bouncy creature!”

      Winston started school one bright Monday morning.

      He was very excited as Mrs Calm, his teacher, told the class to sit and listen for their names.

      Winston tried very hard to remember what his family had told him. “I won’t bounce, I won’t bounce, I won’t bounce…” Winston whispered to himself.

      However, he forgot to listen for his name and a poke in the ribs by William Wallaby, sitting next to him, made him bounce right out of his seat, knocking over a pencil pot.

      All the pupils laughed.

      Mrs Calm frowned at the class and told Winston to sit down on his chair.

      Winston tried to sit quietly and listen to his teacher.

      “I won’t bounce, I won’t bounce, I won’t bounce…” Winston whispered to himself.

      Mrs Calm was telling the pupils about her classroom rules. They were all going to practise lining up and walking round the school sensibly.

      “Winston! Winston!” called Mrs

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