What to do if your child is attention seeking, goofy, clowny, silly, funny or overly extroverted and causing disruption

I run a circus school for kids and often have children put into the class with behaviour described as difficult as they are: 'attention seeking', 'goofy', 'clowny', 'silly', 'funny' or 'overly extroverted'.  Being goofy and clowny isn't a bad thing, it can be fantastic in the right environment! Embrace the fact that your child is clever enough to be funny and try circus classes in your area. You'll be surprised at how much it can help and at how talented your child really is when they are in their element. I believe circus helps kids that can be a little bit loud, 'show offs' and class clowns, not just to settle down, but to develop as people. Here's a few reasons why:

• The child will always feel accepted by the instructor and his circus peers and this will help the child's self esteem. 
• Circus class members aren't impressed by 'disruptive goofiness', we are all 'goofy with a purpose' haha so children learn 'controlled goofiness' :).
• Children acquire circus skills that other children can't do, which make them feel even better about themselves and may result in them quietening down in class. 

This is why circus will make it easier for you if you have an attention seeking child:

• Giving your child a place time/where goofiness is ok helps you to tell your child where/when it ISN'T ok.
• When your child starts being silly you can tell them to try and turn it into a clown act which will keep them occupied (yay some free time for you!) and really develop your child's creative spirit that is shining through 
• You can say 'don't waste your clown energy, you need it for circus class'.

Why circus will make it easier for your child's school teacher if your child is disruptive and loud in class:

• The teacher can use circus as a tool to get him to listen eg. "if you listen carefully during class at the end of the day you can show the other children something you learned in circus class". Therefore the child will get the attention they want, but for a positive reason and at the right time. 
• Your child will get into the habit of listening when adults are speaking as when a circus instructor is explaining something...it usually leads to something really fun.

I say: let your children be attention seeking, clowny, silly, funny, extroverted goof balls if that is a part of their personality, but give them a place to do it and gradually limit their goofiness in other places. Tell the circus instructor that you are concerned that your child is a bit disruptive with their clowny antics and I they'll jump for joy to have your child in their class because we LOVE outgoing children- we're lucky, they make OUR job easier and their clowny humour is right up our alley :) The circus instructor will help you reinforce the fact that 'clowns belong in the circus'. 

If you decide to try circus and need help finding a circus school in your area please email me at etsparkles@yahoo.com.au and I will recommend one.   Best wishes for you and your clever little clown :) Tanya :)