Making little Christmas trees with an ADHD 12-year-old
By The Horse
@TheHorse (220265)
Walnut Creek, California
December 18, 2015 11:18am CST
I took my kid client to the Christmas tree place yesterday and we got some materials to make some little Christmas trees. I was wondering if he'd be able to stay focused enough to do each of the steps necessary to make the little trees, But he actually did quite well. I kept working as he worked, and he watched me and imitated my actions. The good thing is that each step only takes a minute or so, so his mind didn't have time to wander. We spent about half an hour in the parking lot, and made four trees for his family and friends. They turned out quite nice! Have you ever had to engage an ADHD kid in a project? What kinds of things have worked for you?
For those interested, here's a link to an earlier post I wrote about how to make the trees:
Several people asked me to provide more detail on how I make the little Christmas trees I give away during the Holidays. Hopefully, this post will be of help....
10 people like this
11 responses
@FibroGodess (540)
• United States
18 Dec 15
My son is an adult living with ADHD. It was very difficult as he grew up. Things are still hard for him, but at least as an adult he can explain it better to me so that I now understand what he's going through.
2 people like this
@FibroGodess (540)
• United States
18 Dec 15
@TheHorse He gets things done if he is interested enough in what he's doing. There are important things that don't get done unless he is reminded often about it. There are a lot of things on his mine all at the same time, so when he finds something of interest to do, he will do it to the exclusion of all other thoughts. He will often forget to eat or use the bathroom. *be well*
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220265)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Dec 15
@FibroGodess Does he respond positively when reminded to eat or visit the bathroom?
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@celticeagle (168256)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Dec 15
I recall when you posted the instructions on how to make this cute little tree. It is an excellent idea for a craft project for ADHD kids.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168256)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Dec 15
@TheHorse ...Yes, and they may have some great ideas.
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@TheHorse (220265)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Dec 15
@celticeagle Yep, creativity is a strong suit for kids!
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@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
18 Dec 15
sounds like a lovely creative experience for him
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@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
18 Dec 15
what a cool project . the one thing that kept my grandson with that interested was playing games on the pc. but also i remember him liking to help me cook things also,
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
18 Dec 15
I've never worked with ADAH kids or kids in general with any problems. I thought I was going to be a teacher like my mother was until in high school we had a future teachers club and we actually worked with troubled youth and I failed, I had no patience or understanding of those poor kids and I was smart enough to change my goals for life. You have wings and a halo for having the patience you must have to help these kids. Bless you. I loved the photo on your other post of the Christmas tree. Good job!
1 person likes this
@poehere (15123)
• French Polynesia
18 Dec 15
No sorry to say I have never worked with them. But it sort of looks like if you can find a small project like this that isn't too difficult to make they will keep focused on this. I think or it sounds like it helped so much for you to be there doing them at the same time. This gave his mind something to focus on and he kept busy doing his won. That is fantastic he was able to make 4 of them in such a short period of time. Great job.
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