7 year old boy - more exercise = better concentration??

[Lisaj2108]

I have a 7 year old son who is not concentrating at school. He is getting further behind as he is not concentrating and doesn't want to be there. His teacher says he is a bright boy but has irrational outbursts, thinks he is always right and won't listen to the opinions of other children in the class. This is horribly upsetting as I hate to see him struggle. He has 3 sisters (2 older, 1 younger) and I'm conscious that he doesn't always get the attention he needs. My husband and I take time out with each of the children "one on one" regularly. But he just doesn't seem to cope like the girls do. He is on fish oil supplements, I sit with him to do his homework on his own without the girls around and I'm trying to think of ways to help him. He does beavers, swimming and rugby (although he behaves dreadfully at rugby, runs the other way, acts silly, wiggles his bum, throws the ball the other way etc - my husband finds it very difficult).

I was wondering if more exercise could help. My (helpful - NOT!!) mother-in-law says he is like a puppy who needs constant exercising. Could more swimming help?

We have a meeting with his teacher to discuss his IEP next week. I'm at my wits end as he will go up to year 3 / juniors in September and I'm worried he will get further and further behind. Anyone had similar experiences??

I think as this behaviour is taking place in more than one setting ie. school, home, at rugby you should push for a paediatric referral. He sounds like he is getting a lot of exercise and that you and your dh are doing a lot to support him but he continues to struggle. He sounds quite like my eldest ds who has ADHD and if this were the case (or something similar) you would be better with a diagnosis in order to access help for him. We found it made all the difference.

Sounds like he is a bundle of energy. Is there anything that he likes doing that he needs to concentrate on - chess or scrabble, something like that? I find that although DS does need lots of exercise (if left to his own devices, he will jump up and down) but giving him things to do that need focus helps him.

I used to sit with him when he was doing his homework but found it better to make sure he knows what he is supposed to be doing, then go off and do something else (within shouting distance so I can keep and eye on him and am around in case he gets stuck).

He discovered a box of those beady things that you make a pattern with, then iron (Hama, Hamu??) and I was amazed that he actually pulled it down and started making some little people. I don't think that I would have the patience to do this.