Hypersensitivity is more than just a buzzword—it can be a real problem that affects children more often than you might think. Whether your child’s hypersensitivity is sensory in nature or due to environmental factors or some other issue, the condition can make homework time a challenge. Fortunately, we’ve put together have a few handy tips you can use to support your child.
You know the drill: it’s homework time, but your child is annoyed by the sound of the fan, thinks the lights are too bright, or hates the feel of their pencil. Your child may be overwhelmed by sensory stimuli and react in one of the following ways, seemingly out of the blue:
No matter how your hypersensitive child reacts, remember that they aren’t trying to be difficult. They are truly suffering. In this case, there’s really only one thing to do: be patient and try the following tips.
Your hypersensitive child isn’t exaggerating—their feelings are real. Try not to dismiss them. Instead, try to help them recognize what they’re feeling. This will help them gain better control over their emotions so they can express their needs.
Generally speaking, it can be helpful to create an environment that’s conducive to learning. For hypersensitive children, this is doubly true. Here are a few things you can do depending on your child’s needs:
In addition to managing external stimuli, routines can also be very helpful. They let kids know what to expect, prepare mentally for a task, and understand the conditions for completing the task. The idea is to mitigate surprises.
Stress can aggravate hypersensitivity. To help relieve tension and stress, suggest a fun activity or sport right before it’s time to do their homework. Here are some activities you can suggest:
Laughter and fun are part of learning! In fact, they’re major factors when it comes to bolstering your child’s academic success. You can try some of the following tips to alleviate stress or extreme reactions in your hypersensitive child:
Writing : The Alloprof Parents' team