She quite literally never stops

[Nowherenearreadyforchristmas]

Dd, 4, from the moment she wakes up until she eventually falls asleep at night, she talks or makes noise almost all day some days, can’t sit still, has to get up and make milk/food concoctions in the kitchen, mess with the dogs food etc.
Her new teacher has said to me a couple of times that she’s been agitated that day and can’t sit still etc, when I’ve asked if she sees any possible issues…adhd etc, she says she doesn’t think so. Is this an age thing, is this normal? I find it so hard to keep patience as I know it’s not her fault, but some days I feel like I’m going insane, she was always active and on the go, but never to this extent

Dd is 3 and never stops making noise either. She's currently in the bath humming to herself.

@MilkyYay Is it all day long, does she sit still for long? Even when dd watches television it doesn’t hold her attention for long

Yes it could be a sign of ADHD x

Some children are busier than others, but typically by that age there is pockets of calm, focus and quiet at points in the day. Some kids are much calmer than others and some naturally busier but if a parent offers activities, interaction and opportunity for calmer or more focused periods and a child is still very busy or impulsive then it could be ADHD (having ruled out sugar or E numbers or lack of stimulation etc) xx

My DC went through hyper stage and I think it was a growth stage thing so I added more activities and quality time where I am focused on them. I was around them most of the day but not really having quality time where I am not distracted or multi tasking. I made sure we got out and did physical activities, diet has very little sugar and only from fruit, natural food cooked from scratch so no ingredients that might make them hyper. Started a club or two took them to trampolin and gym classes. I also made sure they know what is happening in the day. Routine and schedules help them know what to expect. Sometimes I even made a chart of what's happening with pictures of the activity or drawing. When we sat for breakfast I would tell them what's happening this day and when I was tired I had safe activities for them to do quietly while I semi nap or just lay in bed and read a book or scroll MN in peace. I would tell them it's only for this amount of time with a timer and that it's mummy's quiet time. It was never longer 45minutes and often 20 minutes with a cup of tea sorted me out. Audio books suitable for their age or music they like also gave a break from constant conversation. When I needed to clean or cook I would involve them in the activity and they would be concentrating so much they go quiet.

Typically it won’t be assessed for or diagnosed till a bit older (I believe the magic age is 7) but I think it depends on the local authority. X

Yes completely normal.

They have so much energy when they’re young and even spending a couple hours with my nieces or nephews exhausts me.

My DD is now a teen and only wants to sleep all day and can never be bothered to do anything, so although it’s difficult and exhausting remember it won’t last forever and you’ll be wishing you had the energetic child back.

My DD was like this. Still is, actually, except now at 14 she's been diagnosed with ADHD. From the minute she could make noise she didn't stop.

My son was the same at that age.

He found sitting down for assembly so difficult he would punch himself in the head.
Something I had never seen him do, and something the teacher told me at the end of reception year (I hate her for that).

He was later diagnosed with ADHD, but when he was 10.

Children can grow out of that impulsive behaviour but sometimes it is something else.

My 4 year old DS is exactly the same, completely exhausting. I have considered ADHD but his school have no issues so I’m not going to do anything about it right now. Will wait and see what happens as he gets a little older. You have my sympathy!

My 4 year old is the same! Even when he’s watching tv he is rolling around on the floor and asking questions constantly, he never sits still or stops talking. I feel bad but I’m generally counting down the minutes until bedtime just so I can enjoy a few minutes of peace!

Slinds like my DD2 and she has ADHD. It can be a lot at times, not gonna lie

children need to be taught to be calm and quiet - so get a book and sit with her - or tell her we are going to lie down and listen to calm music - but she should be able to sit and listen at this age - it’s important for her learning

The magic age is 7 in which anyone will start listening to you.

Add on a good few years for the paper work, the referrals, the assessment, the appointment and finally the diagnoses.

11-12 years at the earliest.

My daughter’s best friend is EXACTLY like this. The first drop-and-go play date was a monumental shock as DD, while she has her moments, can sit through a film or “read” a book or take herself off for quiet time. But BFF has a literal 30-second attention span. I wanted a tranquilliser dart and a butterfly net after just half an hour. Her friend has no diagnosis but her mum has ADHD.

Well, she ‘should be able to’, if she’s neurotypical. She probably won’t be able to very easily, if she’s not.

I have zero experience OP, other than to say that does seem towards the extreme end of the activity spectrum.

Mine were on the go at that age, but not to the extent you describe.

I could do as @Allsnotwell suggests ^^ but that’s because my two are NT.

I have a seven year old who never shuts up, he even talks in his sleep, both normal and infuriating!

You've got your very own fidgetmonkey! You probably won't know more until she gets to certain developmental stages, but if that constant on the go stuff is consistent as she gets older, it wouldn't be amiss to check for ADHD.

There’s a huge difference in children who’ve been to nursery before school - you can tell those who’ve been at home - especially as most have been home a long time during Covid and haven’t had the chance to settle and have a routine.

Im not saying she ‘may have’ an internet diagnosis - just try teaching her at home first

DD has a friend like this but no diagnosis. Completely exhausting.

My almost 4 year old is like this. He started nursery around 6 months ago and the constant noise/jumping around ect started soon after. I wondered if he is so busy at nursery with so much to do that he gets bored at home. Nursery say he's really well behaved though

She's a kid. She needs to move. She needs to run around and touch stuff. Help her!

At 4, it could be either normal or not normal, but I would listen to the teacher's assessment. We have one child in our class like this who is totally fine but immature, one with ADHD for sure (but undiagnosed) and another with trauma and attachment disorder that presents as inability to control their body and sit still. Wait but be ready to bite their hand off for any support given. Also, making sure she has a good diet with few processed sugars, no artificial colours, lots of sunshine and heavy exercise. If all that doesn't work, a paediatrician friend suspected her son had ADHD and rather than try risperidone immediately, she gave him a double espresso before school every day. It did the trick helping him to focus during the important morning learning without having to immediately give him stimulants. He is now on them, but it helped in the diagnosis and waiting for assessment years.

DD12 has always been like this... and she's NT. Her year 1 teacher used to laugh that DD did all of her work stood up. She has calmed down a bit, but she is still very active and pretty noisy. Likes to sing pretty much all the time. Has no off switch. Can, however, be engaged in something that requires her to be still and quiet, like cinema or theatre, when it suits her.

My 3.5 year old is same and I’m going crazzzzzy x