Using a Book-Based Curriculum for Kids with ADHD

If you have children with ADHD, reading may not be their strong suit. Or if you’re fortunate enough to have an ADHD child who is a bookworm, that child might struggle to recall information or answer questions about the work afterward. For active kids, sitting down and reading can pose a challenge. With a few tweaks, though, a book-based curriculum can be perfect for ADHD kids.

Why a Book-Based Curriculum is Perfect for ADHD Kids

Some of the suggestions for teaching kids with ADHD include using video games, computer software, and active play as outlets for their mental and physical energy. As a result, parents might wonder about the value of using a book-based curriculum for children who have ADHD. Here are a few reasons why a literary approach can help:

• A book-based curriculum improves comprehension skills. Children who have ADHD often struggle with comprehension due to executive function issues. Reading and learning to summarize what they read helps these kids improve their ability to grasp information and retell it.
• Reluctant readers can see the value in books. If your children don’t enjoy reading books, they may feel differently after seeing how much they can learn from reading them. This is especially true if the curriculum is implemented in a way that lets them make or do something on their own.
• Using a book-based curriculum inspires creativity. As children hear various book genres (legends, historical fiction, comedy, suspense, etc.), they are introduced to different styles of writing and storytelling. These stories can spark their imaginations, giving them material to think, write, and create their own works.

How to Create a Book-Based Curriculum for ADHD Kids

So the big question is: How can you create a book-based curriculum for kids with ADHD? The key is to choose books that are exciting and stimulating enough to hold your child’s interest. Here are a few tips:

1. Choose books with illustrations

Pictures do wonders for kids with ADHD. They take books from the abstract to the possible. When kids can see what’s happening, they remain invested in the story.

2. Create activities based on the plot. 

Take any and everything you can from the book and make it into an activity, craft, or project. These extension ideas help active kids think more about what’s happening and remember the plot more clearly.

3. Encourage kids to write their own stories.

Add in a few writing prompts as you progress through the book to stimulate your children’s writing skills. When a chapter ends, ask “What do you think will happen next?” Then have them write about it. Or when the book ends, ask them to come up with an alternate ending.

4. Use immersion reading.

Immersion reading refers to reading a work while listening to it in audio form. Kids who tend to move around also tend to have short attention spans, so keep their minds on the material by having them follow along as it’s read. They’ll stay on task much better.

You can definitely make a book-based curriculum the perfect choice for kids with ADHD. Just remember: Keep the stories interesting, engaging, and interactive. If you do, your active learners will become lifelong readers.