Korean Job Discussion Forums

[matthagwon]

Okay so I've been working in korea for about a year and last month my hagwon got a few new students. Two of the new boys have ADHD and jump around and touch everything. They disrupt the class and don't care about punishments or missing fun days. How do you guys/gals deal with students like these?

[coryallan]

They could just be very active. If they do have ADHD, there are some objects you can buy for them (can't remember the names off the top of my head) to keep their hands busy while they are listening. You could also give them extra tasks to do in the classroom that allow them to move around but not be distracting to others.

[neilio]

been tons of research on diet's affect on ADHD.

This is more FYI but eliminating gluten and getting them on a ketogenic diet will drastically help focus.

[Rutherford]

[RangerMcGreggor]

[rambler]

[bibichoo]

I had a 3rd grade teacher (this is in suburban America), an old-school no-nonsense type, who had the best system EVER for controlling our class - she gave out certificates. She had a variety of those cute, colorful "good job!" type certificates, and stickers. Some certificates were for good behavior, some for attendance, some for doing an excellent job on a test, doing all the homework, etc.. There was basically a certificate for every little thing we kids did right.

I remember collecting a thick pile of these certificates, and it was sooooo satisfying. Little kids don't understand abstract instructions. But they understand a paper they can hold in their hand, with a rainbow and a sticker that smells like root beer. I remember that, some certificates had the teacher's signature on it, and that made it especially "holy moly" and official.

ADHD kids need frequent and immediate reward systems. They can't think ahead, like other kids. They have poor impulse control. You may have to implement a system where they get more frequent "good behavior" feedback. Not sure how you would implement it, but very important: frequent and immediate feedback. In my 3rd grade class, some kids received more "good behavior" certificates. These were the problem ADHD kids. While I may get a "good behavior" certificate every few days, these kids were getting maybe 2-3/day. Sometimes even more. For being good for any short period of time. Of course, I didn't mind, because I was getting certificates they weren't getting, plus little kids understand some kids need "extra love."

Not sure if this would even work in your situation. But it might be something to try?

[KimchiNinja]

Realistically it's almost certainly SUGAR and grains leading to all these mental disorders, it's boring that anyone would argue it at this point.

Ban sugar from your classroom, seems like all that can be done unless you wanna give the mom's a nutrition lecture.

[izzyonplanetk]

[KimchiNinja]

[bmaw01]

[bmaw01]

In regards to ADHD medication works wonders. I'm a special needs teacher and I've worked with children who have a wide range of disabilities. With ADHD I knew when a child didn't take his meds. He was a wreck. When he was on his meds he was able to focus and concentrate.

They don't give meds in Korea. The only alternative is to come up with a behavioral plan and stick to it.

[KimchiNinja]

[jvalmer]