Soothing Sensitive Kids: Gentle Ways to Help Them Thrive
Soothing Sensitive Kids: Gentle Ways to Help Them Thrive
Helping children through moments of high sensitivity can be challenging, read more to find out what has helped my children.
Imagine hearing multiple sounds and then suddenly all of the sounds blur together, while textures feel uncomfortable. Include feelings of deep empathy and a hyperawareness of world events. A highly sensitive child might feel one or more of these things.
In some ways it is a cross and, in some ways, it is a gift. More than one of our daughters responds with high sensitivity. One is very musical while being highly sensitive to noise and gets overstimulated easily. Too much chatter puts her over the edge. Another child of mine is cautious around most people, clingy and very sensitive during social interactions, while her older sister is highly sensitive to any type of conflict or negativity.
Sensitive children need support from their parents to help deal with overstimulation; be it emotional, physical or all-around physiological.
Based on observations of my own children, I’ve notice there are a handful of things that work really well for sensitive children. This information overlaps with research and work from experts, but it has been based off my own experiences. If you wish to dive more deeply into this subject, here are some websites you can visit.
Top ways to soothe sensitive children: Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): Challenges & Solutions
It’s important to understand that when children have hyper sensitivities, they can’t control the way they feel. They need the support of a parent to help them gain control over their bodies and feelings. Someday God, willing they will have the ability to handle strong sensations and emotions. Start with patience and then use one of the strategies below.
Way to Soothe Sensitive Kids: Gentle Ways to Help Them Thrive
“Just add Water”: I heard this phrase when I had my first baby and has worked 90 percent of the time. The times it doesn’t is usually because my child needs food or sleep. Drinking water helps, but more specifically playing in water. Streams, oceans, baths, tubs of water, any of these are so amazing. Just stay away from the splash pads and sprinklers whenever your child is overstimulated. The spray of water will regress your efforts.
Get into nature: The sunshine and fresh air are so good for helping children come out of egocentric moods. If your child is highly sensitive to the elements, take him, her outside a little bit more every day, and build up to long periods outside.
Rock: The rocking chair has been around for hundreds of years for a reason. Rocking children mimics the womb. The rocking motion sooths and stimulates the nervous system. Add a book and a snack, and boom you’ve got an incredible combo.
Read a Book. Reading a book can provide a calming effect because it helps children focus on one singular thing. It engages the mind away from ego centric thoughts and emotions. Stimming can be present while listening to the book, but for the most part, active bodies shortly clam.
Massage: Touch is important for all children. Babies who do not experience touch die, logic would follow that children need physical affection far into childhood. Massage is a fantastic way to give children a high dose of oxytocin.
I have a highly sensitive child who dislikes back rubs but likes arms and legs to be tickled, I have another child who needs pressured back rubs before she goes to bed.
My mother who is an occupational therapist took a class on infant massage; she was amazed at all the benefits that can come from it. She found that it helps children who have sensory processing issues. Here is a post that can give you some more information on infant massage. The Benefits of Baby Massage – HealthyChildren.org
Cover the ears: I bought two pair of hearing protecters for my girls who struggle with load noise and over-stimulation. They often complain about the noise level in the car, whether it be from the baby, chatter, or music that others want to listen too. If big sister “can’t handle it right now.” I hand a pair back. I use them too, and If I do say so myself, I look rather good in pink kitty earmuffs.
Here is a link to find some on amazon. Amazon.com: Alpine Muffy Baby Ear Protection for Babies and Toddlers up to 36 Months – CE & ANSI Certified – Noise Reduction Earmuffs – Comfortable Baby Headphones Against Hearing Damage & Improves Sleep – Green : Baby
Weighted Blanket: We got a weighted blanket for our daughter who was struggling with lots of crying. The weighted blanket was somewhere she could hide and feel safe whenever she felt emotionally out of control. We’ve sensed lost it, but I’m looking into purchasing another one.
Sensory exploration: Once again, the best way to do this, is to allow children to play in the dirt, sand, water whatever they can get their hands on in nature. If your best option for the moment is a sensory bin, awesome! That works great!
When in Doubt Stick it Out:
This last one is one of the most important, and in a way encompasses the behavior of sensitive children. After dealing with what seemed like extreme clinginess and moodiness from one of my toddlers, I finally called a mamma of 10 kids for help.
I explained, ” I’m with her all the time; I never leave her alone for long periods, yet she still clings to me for dear life.”
She replied, “I had one like that, I just gave him all the attention he required and eventually he grew out of it and was fine.”
When in doubt, stick it out means to hold on with love affection and patience as long as our children are asking for it. I’ve stuck with this mantra to the best of my ability. That advice really helped, and has been very helpful with my toddler who is also very clingy.
Some children have autism and have an emotional or psychological disorder, and the clinging is physically and emotionally draining. The important thing to remember is that running from your child won’t help, it only makes things worse. Embrace that child like you embrace the cross and Christ will give you the grace to keep going. Allow Mary into your suffering and she will soothe your wounds with a balm and rose water. I know this, because my dear advocates, have done this for me every time I ask.
Thank you for reading “Soothing Sensitive Kids: Gentle Ways to Help Them Thrive”
What has helped your family? I’d love to know. Please share below!
