How Restless Leg Syndrome Can Lead To Behavior Problems In Preschool
Restless leg syndrome is an odd feeling of discomfort in the legs that makes it difficult for people to sit still. When it affects preschoolers, it can be particularly problematic. It can cause many types of behavior problems that may grow worse as they go through elementary school and which may impact their life. Thankfully, parents can address and manage this issue.
Restless Leg Syndrome Can Be Devastating For Preschoolers
When children have restless leg syndrome, they may struggle to sleep during the night. Their legs will feel itchy and uncomfortable and make them unhappy. As a result, they may struggle to sleep and suffer from daytime drowsiness. This drowsiness can impact their behavior when they are at preschool and may cause them to act out.
Even worse, it could impact their actual ability to learn from their preschool lessons. As a result, it is important to understand how devastating this problem can be as children age and start attending elementary school. There is a chance that behavior problems learned in preschool can become concerns that plague them in elementary school.
These Problems Can Become A Lifelong Concern
If behavior problems caused by restless leg syndrome aren't assessed in preschool, there is a chance that they will continue to grow in elementary school. Just think of a child who gets attention for acting out when they are drowsy from a lack of sleep. That attention, even if it is negative, will inspire them to continue behaving in problematic ways.
As a result, problematic behaviors can continue long into an elementary school and even influence a child's development. Rather than learning important lessons in those crucial early years, they can end up getting left behind and struggling to catch up. Thankfully, addressing this problem in preschool can help keep it from becoming more serious.
Stopping This Problem
Preventing this issue from becoming a lifelong problem requires immediate assessment and treatment. For example, there are steps parents can take to manage a child's restless leg syndrome. These include decreasing their intake of caffeine, using medication to manage the restless symptoms, and using heating or cooling pads to relief the discomfort that causes restless leg syndrome.
After taking these simple steps, it is important to address any behavior problems that may be impacting the child. For example, parents and preschool teachers need to set limits on their classroom behavior and create punishments. Another way to avoid this kind of behavior problem is to create routines that allow the child with restless leg syndrome to be up and moving during the day in a constructive way, such as painting or playing outdoors.
By taking control of this situation from the beginning and working with preschool teachers, parents can keep their children from developing serious problems. While restless leg syndrome may be a lifelong problem, it doesn't have to derail a child's life.
