The holidays are almost upon us. With parties, decorations and tasty treats bring anxiety, meltdowns and sensory overload. Christmas can be very overwhelming for toddlers, so it is important you have a plan in place.
This month’s blog at Little Steps Day Care offers some tips to reducing sensory overload this Christmas. For information, call us in Renhold on 01234 889518.
What Is Sensory Overload During the Holidays?
Sensory overload is particularly common in a developing child. Wherever you are, recognising the signs are important in helping your child cope and regulate. Some signs include:
- Heightened Behaviour – Jumping off furniture, running around etc.
- Bothered by Noise – Covering their ears, making loud noises.
- Aggressive Behaviour – Pushing, pulling, arguing and hitting.
- Frequent Meltdowns
- Withdrawn from Activities
Christmas is a busy time.
Be Prepared
This time of year can be very off schedule, so routines may be different. There are lots of things to do and there can be added stress trying to fit everyone and everything into a small timeframe.
At school, children have got a good routine. Timetable strategies are a great way to ensure your day runs smoothly and avoids a meltdown. It is important to put your child’s needs first and find a good balance.
Give Them A Separate Room for Downtime
If your child is struggling to stay calm in situations involving lots of people, make sure you are there for them. Give them a room so they can have some downtime from all the Christmas chaos.
Ensuring your child has an environment away from noise and crowds is important.
Limit Gift Opening
This will be the most difficult part of your holiday experience. Like any parent, gift giving can go into overdrive. Although gift giving can be fun, it can cause a sensory overload if your child has sensitivities to certain materials.
Some children may find the excitement of a surprise overwhelming. If so, it may be helpful to open presents over a longer period.
Contact Us
For more information about reducing sensory overload this Christmas, don’t hesitate to contact Little Steps Day Care in Renhold. call us on 01234 889518 or 07340 956 133. Alternatively, send us a message via our contact form.
You can find us here.
