Playbook For ADHD, Compliance & Hyperactivity (4-8 Yrs)
Playbook For ADHD, Compliance & Hyperactivity (4-8 Yrs)
Conquering
Compliance & Hyperactivity
(Age 4-8)
What is ADHD?.....................................................................................................9
Simplify Instructions…………………………………………………………………………….………...28
Minimize Distractions……………………………………………………………………………………….30
The 4 Types of Positive Reinforcement!.....................................31
Finger Painting…………………………………………………………………………….…….64
Helping garden……………………………………………………………………….…………65
School-Based Games………………………………………………………………………….…….69
Certificate of Appreciation…………………………………………………………………….…………75
References……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..77
Preface
Welcome to "Super Skills for Super Kids," a playbook designed with you and
aged 4-8 who experiences the boundless energy of hyperactivity and the
We understand that raising a child with ADHD can feel like navigating a
But within that whirlwind lies incredible potential. Children with ADHD possess
This playbook isn't about changing who your child is. It's about providing you
with practical tools and strategies to help them channel their energy, build
offering gentle guidance to navigate the challenges that come with ADHD.
This playbook is a starting point, a guide to help you discover what works best
for your child. Embrace the joy, celebrate the small victories, and know that
with patience, understanding, and a little bit of "super skill" building, your child
can reach their full potential. Let's embark on this adventure together, and
Hello! This is Zobia & Samia and we're so glad you've picked up "Super Skills for
Super Kids." This playbook is a labor of love, born from our passion for supporting
As we were delved into creating this resource, we were inspired by the incredible
resilience and potential we see in every child. We understand that parenting or caring
for a child with ADHD can sometimes feel overwhelming, but we also know that with
the right tools and a compassionate approach, amazing things can happen.
We've poured our hearts into making this playbook practical, accessible, and filled
with strategies that we believe can make a real difference. Our goal is to empower
you with the knowledge and confidence to help your child thrive.
their energy, and their unique perspectives. We hope this playbook serves as a guide,
Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey. We wish you and your super kid
Warmly,
This playbook is designed to equip caregivers, educators, and therapists with practical
children with ADHD. The strategies outlined in this manual focus on:
activities.
✅ Teaching self-regulation skills that allow children to manage their energy levels
effectively.
interventions.
7
How to Use This Playbook Effectively
● Keep Instructions Simple – Use short, clear sentences and visual support.
mistakes.
● Be Patient & Flexible – Each child is different; adapt techniques based on their
needs.
school, or in therapy sessions. With patience, consistency, and the right strategies,
children with ADHD can build essential skills for success while embracing their unique
strengths.
8
1. Understanding ADHD in Young Children
What is ADHD?
that interfere with daily functioning and development. It typically begins in childhood
and can continue into adulthood, affecting academic, social, and occupational areas of
life. Children with ADHD may struggle to focus, follow instructions, stay organized, or
sit still, often appearing restless or overly energetic. The exact cause is not fully
Adjustments.
9
For young children aged 4-8, ADHD is often most noticeable through behaviors such
struggling with transitions between activities. These challenges can impact their
10
Understanding ADHD: Shifting Perspectives for Better Support
Instead of solely focusing on outward behaviors and assuming intentionality, which can
promotes consistent and tailored support, and acknowledges that challenges with
focus, impulsivity, and emotional regulation are often not readily controlled. It
acceptance, we can create environments where individuals with ADHD feel truly
11
12
13
Hyperactivity & Compliance:
Think of a child with ADHD like a race car with a turbo engine—it’s always ready to go,
go, go! But without clear tracks to follow, that energy can lead to crashes (or running
📌 Examples of Hyperactivity:
● The child just sat down for storytime, but his legs keep bouncing like he’s
● 🎤 The child is so excited about her idea that she blurts it out before raising her
hand!
● During a quiet moment, the child suddenly jumps up and starts spinning like a
superhero on a mission!
14
Compliance: The Secret Mission to Follow Directions!
Compliance means following instructions and rules, but for kids with ADHD, it can feel
like a tricky puzzle. Their brains are great at exploring ideas, but remembering steps
● 🎮 You ask a child to put away his toys, but halfway through, he gets distracted
● 🎭 She is supposed to sit in the circle, but she’s busy pretending to be a cat
instead!
● 🏆 You tell the child that it’s time to clean up, but he keeps playing because
15
Superpowers of ADHD: 6 Amazing Strengths! 🚀
ADHD isn’t just about challenges—it comes with incredible strengths that make kids
with ADHD unique and full of potential! Many researchers believe that these
strengths come from neurological differences in the ADHD brain, particularly in how
it processes dopamine, the brain’s motivation and reward chemical. Instead of viewing
ADHD as a deficit, many experts argue that it’s simply a different way of
Let’s explore these superpowers and how they help kids shine! 🌟
16
1. Hyperfocus – The Power of Ultimate Concentration! 🎯
ADHD is often associated with lack of focus, but did you know that kids with ADHD
can actually focus better than most people when they’re interested in something? This
is called hyperfocus, a state where they become so deeply engaged in a task that they
🔬 Theory: Research suggests that dopamine irregularities in the ADHD brain make
it harder to focus on boring tasks but easier to get "locked in" when something is
exciting.
💡 Example: When he starts building with LEGO, he won’t stop until his spaceship is
How it helps: This ability makes kids with ADHD excellent problem-solvers, artists,
17
2. 💪 Resilience – The Bounce-Back Ability! 🌟
Kids with ADHD face daily challenges—whether it’s forgetting instructions, struggling
to sit still, or feeling overwhelmed. But these experiences actually help them build
resilience, or the ability to bounce back after setbacks. They learn to keep going, no
matter what!
🧠 Theory: Studies show that children with ADHD develop strong emotional
regulation skills over time because they constantly adapt to challenges. Their brains
💡 Example: She struggled with learning a new dance move, but she kept practicing.
How it helps: This persistence makes them brave, adaptable, and ready for anything!
18
3. 🎨 Creativity – The Superpower of Thinking Outside the
Box! 🎭
ADHD brains don’t just follow the usual path—they create NEW paths! People with
ADHD often think in big, imaginative, and unconventional ways, making them amazing
creativity that helps people come up with multiple solutions to a problem instead of
just one.
How it helps: Their creativity helps them solve problems in unique ways and bring
19
4. 🗣 Social Smarts – The Gift of Gab! 🗨
Many kids with ADHD are natural storytellers and love making others laugh. They
often have strong emotional intelligence and a deep ability to connect with people.
💬 Theory: Studies suggest that some kids with ADHD have higher levels of social
intelligence and empathy, making them charismatic and emotionally aware of others'
feelings.
💡 Example: She always knows how to cheer up a friend with a funny joke or a BIG
bear hug! 🐻💛
How it helps: These kids often become great leaders, entertainers, and friends
20
5. ⚡ Spontaneity & Courage – Adventure Awaits!
People with ADHD are known for being fearless, spontaneous, and full of adventure!
They love new experiences and don’t get stuck overthinking decisions.
💡 Example: When a talent show was announced at school, He jumped on stage without
How it helps: Their boldness makes them natural explorers, athletes, and innovators!
21
6. 🏃 High Energy – The Supercharged Battery! ⚡
a problem, think of it as an unlimited energy source! This energy makes kids with
🏃 Theory: ADHD brains have higher dopamine and adrenaline fluctuations, making it
harder to sit still but perfect for activities that require movement and quick thinking.
💡 Example: He could run five laps around the playground while others were still
warming up! 💨
How it helps: This energy makes kids with ADHD fantastic athletes, performers, and
adventure-seekers!
22
Coping Strategies for Parents
● Daily Schedule:
○ Create a visual schedule for the day with activities like waking up, meals, homework,
○ Use pictures or color codes for younger children to make the schedule easy to
follow.
● Predictable Transitions:
24
Make it colourful and fun so children don’t view organisation as a task.
2. Use Visual Aids and Tools
● Task Charts:
○ Post rules and expectations in visible areas, such as “Homework comes before
○ Use visual timers or digital clocks to show how long tasks (e.g., homework, playtime)
will last.
25
3. Organize the Environment
● Declutter:
○ Let the child participate in creating their routines or organizing their space. This
○ Create a dedicated space for homework, free of distractions like noise or clutter.
○ Have a separate area for play to clearly distinguish work from fun.
○ Calm Down Zones: A calm down zone could be anywhere (e.g. a spare bedroom, or a
quiet corner of the kitchen). Stock it with anything helpful and appeasing a blanket, a
box of fidgets, with calming music. This area should help the child take some deep
breaths, fully experience her emotions, whether negative or positive, and learn to
26
27
A place for your child to freely experience their emotions
4. Simplify Instructions
○ Give one instruction at a time instead of overwhelming them with multiple directions.
28
5. Build in Movement Breaks
● Incorporate short movement breaks during homework or chores to let the child
release energy.
● Provide options like jumping jacks, stretches, or a quick run around the house.
29
6. Minimize Distractions
activities.
30
Power-Up Your Child’s Motivation:
31
Every child loves a little motivation, and positive reinforcement is like a
superpower that helps them stay on track! Think of it as a way to reward
good behavior, making it more likely to happen again. There are four types
of positive reinforcement, and using a mix of them can keep things fun
and exciting for children with ADHD.
These are rewards that happen naturally when a child puts in effort,
teaching them that hard work leads to good outcomes.
⭐ Example: The child decides to clean up her toys without being asked.
Later, she finds her missing bracelet under the couch—a natural reward
for tidying up! 💎😊
32
2. 😊 Social Reinforcers – Cheers & Praise!
⭐ Example: After sharing his lunch with a friend, the teacher says,
“Amazing! That was so kind of you. Your friend is really happy you
shared.” 🍎💖
⭐ Example: She puts extra effort into decorating the Holiday banner
for her classroom, and her parents proudly take a picture of it and send it
to the family group chat. She feels special and encouraged to keep
creating! 🎨🌙
33
3. 🎁 Tangible Reinforcers – Real Rewards!
⭐ Example: She helps clean up the playroom, and her mom gives her a
special sticker for her reward chart. Once she collects 10 stickers, she
earns a trip to the ice cream shop! 🍦🌟
34
4. 🎟 Token Reinforcers – Earning Points for
Prizes!
Think of these like video game points—kids earn tokens or stars for good
behavior, which they can trade in for rewards later!
⭐ Example: Every time the child finishes a chore, he earns a gold star.
After 10 stars, he gets to choose a fun family outing to the park!
🌳⭐
⭐ Example: In class, She gets a "focus point" each time she completes a
task without distractions. At the end of the week, she can trade her
points for extra recess time! 🎈
35
✨ Making Positive Reinforcement Work for Your
Child!
The secret to success? Find what excites your child! Some kids love
verbal praise, while others are motivated by earning rewards. Try mixing
up different types of reinforcement to keep things engaging and
effective.
With the right encouragement, every child can stay motivated, build
confidence, and develop positive habits—one MashaAllah, high-five,
sticker, or gold star at a time! 🚀🌟
36
Supporting Students with ADHD:
Communication
● Understand that children with ADHD may become deeply absorbed in activities that
interest them (hyper-focus) and may need extra assistance shifting their attention.
38
Assignments and tasks
● Make assignments clear—check with the student to see if they understand what they
need to do.
● Provide choices to show mastery (for example, let the student choose among written
● Make sure assignments are not long and repetitive. Shorter assignments that provide
● Allow breaks—for children with ADHD, paying attention takes extra effort and can be
very tiring.
● Use organizational tools, such as a homework folder, to limit the number of things the
39
Develop a plan that fits the child
● Observe and talk with the student about what helps or distracts them (for example,
fidget tools, limiting eye contact when listening, background music, or moving while
40
Activities to Foster
Compliance
in Children
Ages 4-8
41
Fun & Engaging Activities to Improve Compliance
in Children with ADHD
Helping children with ADHD follow instructions and complete tasks doesn’t have
to feel like a battle—it can be fun and engaging! Using structured routines,
movement-based activities, and creative play, you can boost compliance in a
way that feels natural and enjoyable for kids. Below are exciting activities that
incorporate structure, movement, sensory play, and positive reinforcement to
encourage children to listen, follow directions, and complete tasks effectively.
42
📅 1. Structured Routines & Schedule Activities
43
🎨 2. Sensory-Based Compliance Activities
44
⭐ 3. Positive Reinforcement & Communication
Techniques
45
4. Physical Activities for Compliance
📜 **How to Play:**
46
Activity : Compliance Treasure Hunt
📜 **How to Play:**
· ✔ Create a simple treasure map and write down 3-5 clues leading to
hidden treats.
· ✔ Hide small prizes in different locations around the room.
· ✔ Give one clue at a time, only providing the next instruction when the
previous one is completed.
· ✔ Reward children with a small treat upon successfully finding the
treasure!
47
Activity . 🎭 Role-Playing Games (Teacher &
Student, Chef & Assistant, etc.)
🎲 How to Play:
🔥 Fun Twist: Use real costumes 🎭 and props for a full experience
48
Activity : Stop & Go - Red Light, Green Light
🚦
📜 **How to Play:**
49
Activity: The Secret Code Spy Mission
🕵
📜 **How to Play:**
50
Activity: Mystery Box Task Game 🎁
🔹 How to Play:
51
Activity : Obstacle Course of Instructions 🎯
🔹 How to Play:
1. Set up a mini obstacle course with different stations (e.g., jump over
a pillow, crawl under a chair, hop 3 times).
2. Give children step-by-step instructions before they start.
3. Have them repeat the instructions back to check understanding.
4. Encourage and praise them as they complete the course
successfully!
52
Activity: Storytime Role-Play 📖🎭
🔹 How to Play:
1. Read a short story where characters follow instructions (e.g., The Little
Red Hen).
2. Pause and ask the child to act out what the characters are doing.
○ Example: “The puppy goes to bed. Can you lie down like the puppy?”
3. Praise them for acting out the correct actions! 🎉
53
Activity : Color-Coded Fun
🎲 How to Play:
54
Activity : The Patience Maze 🌀
🔹 How to Play:
55
Final Thoughts 🌟
Compliance isn’t about forcing kids to follow
instructions—it’s about engaging, motivating, and
making tasks feel fun and rewarding! By adding
movement, creativity, sensory elements, and positive
reinforcement, children with ADHD can learn to listen,
follow directions, and complete tasks successfully—all
while having a blast! 🚀🎉
56
Activities to Manage
Hyperactivity
in Children
Ages 4-8
Children with ADHD have boundless energy, and instead of suppressing it, the
key is to channel it in fun and productive ways! These games help children
improve focus, self-regulation, and impulse control, all while keeping them
Invite your child to lie down comfortably and place a small stuffed animal
on their belly. Instruct them to take slow, deep breaths in through their
nose, allowing their belly to rise and the stuffed animal to “ride the waves.”
As they exhale through their mouth, encourage them to imagine the animal
gently descending. This exercise promotes deep relaxation and focuses
their attention on the soothing rhythm of their breath.
59
60
61
62
2. Sensory play for children with ADHD
🎯 Objective: Sensory play helps children with ADHD regulate their sensory
Sensory activities are those that engage your child’s smell, sight, taste,
touch, or hearing.
63
● Finger painting: Provide different colors and papers to create
artwork.
● Exploring sensory bins: Fill tubs with items of different colors, shapes,
64
● Going on a nature scavenger hunt: Ask children to find specific items
in nature, like types of rocks, trees, or animals.
65
3. Physical Activities for children with ADHD
How to Play: Call out an animal, and the child must move like that animal (e.g.,
"Hop like a frog!" "Crawl like a bear!"). You can set a short obstacle course to
Why It Works:
66
4. Balloon Keep-Up 🎈
How to Play: The goal is to keep the balloon from touching the ground by
hitting it with hands, elbows, or even their head. Add challenges like using only
one hand or playing in teams!
Why It Works:
✔ Strengthens focus and coordination
✔ Helps with self-regulation through controlled movements
✔ Encourages social interaction if played with other
67
5. Freeze Dance 🎶🕺
How to Play: Play fun, energetic music and let the child dance freely. When the
music stops, they must freeze like a statue!
Why It Works:
68
🏫 School-Based Games
6. Movement Stations 🚀
How to Play: Set up different movement stations in the classroom (e.g., jumping
jacks, toe touches, spinning in place). Every few minutes, students rotate to a new
station.
Why It Works:
✔ Provides structured movement breaks to prevent restlessness
✔ Keeps kids engaged while expelling energy
✔ Improves focus when they return to seated tasks
69
7. Desk Drumming 🥁✋
How to Play: Teach kids a simple rhythm using desk taps and claps. Have them
repeat it back or create their own patterns!
Why It Works:
✔ Provides a controlled way to fidget
✔ Enhances focus through structured movement
✔ Helps calm excessive energy in a fun way
70
8. Brain Break Yoga 🌿
How to Play: Guide children through fun yoga poses like "Tree Pose" (stand on
one leg) or "Lion’s Breath" (take a deep breath and roar!).
Why It Works:
✔ Promotes relaxation and mindfulness
✔ Enhances balance and coordination
✔ Helps reset attention before continuing lessons
71
Activity 9: You Can Learn to Sit Still 🪑
🔹 How to Play:
1. Press Hands Together – Clasp hands and push them against each other
for 10 seconds.
2. Knee Press – Push knees together for 10 seconds.
3. Table Press – Press hands firmly on the table for 10 seconds.
4. Foot Press – Press feet onto the floor firmly for 10 seconds.
🏆 Encourage children to focus on how their body feels while staying still.
72
Activity 10: Balancing Act
● Have the child walk across a line of tape on the floor while balancing
an object (e.g., beanbag on their head).
● Make it fun by timing them or playing soft music.
🌟 Why It Works: Requires controlled movement and
concentration.
73
Final Thoughts 🌟
Hyperactivity isn't a problem—it’s untapped energy
waiting to be directed! These games blend fun with
skill-building, ensuring children stay active while
learning focus, self-control, and patience. Whether at
home or school, structured movement-based activities
can transform restlessness into productive
engagement—and let’s be honest, they’re just plain
fun! 🎉
74
75
Final Thoughts
You've worked hard, had fun, and learned amazing new skills along the
way. Remember, every small step brings big success, and you are full of
incredible potential! Keep practicing, exploring, and growing—because you
are truly a Super Kid! 💪🌟
Thank you for joining this journey to support and empower your child.
Your dedication, patience, and love make a world of difference. Every
activity completed, every effort made, and every little success
celebrated is a step toward a brighter future.
GOOD LUCK!
76
References
Flynn, L. (2024, December 26). Using a Strength-Based Approach to Empower Learners with
ADHD. OT4ADHD.
https://ot4adhd.com/2024/01/02/using-a-strength-based-approach-to-empower-learners-with
-adhd/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15253-inattentive-adhd
Fireman, P. (2025, January 2). 6 Strengths and Benefits of ADHD. Children's Health Council.
https://www.chconline.org/resourcelibrary/6-strengths-and-benefits-of-adhd/
Kids Health Info : ADHD – ways to help children at school and home. (n.d.).
https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/ADHD_ways_to_help_children_at_school_and_ho
me/
Phifer, L. W., Crowder, A. K., Elsenraat, T., & Hull, R. (2017). CBT toolbox for children &
adolescents: Over 200 worksheets & exercises for trauma, ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression
Snowden's. (2019). ADHD workbook for kids: The right tips for organizing solutions, nutrition
plan, time management, learning tools for inattentive people, exercises to help children to
77