Highly sensitive children can often be overwhelmed by the stimuli and emotions in the classroom, which can lead to anxiety, stress, overstimulation and fatigue.
Tips for highly sensitive children in the classroom
Here are some tips for teachers to support highly sensitive children in the classroom:
- Acknowledge the high sensitivity: Let the student know that their sensitivity is a strength and that you understand that sometimes it can be difficult for them to concentrate or deal with stimuli. Discuss together how you as a teacher and student can work together to improve the situation.
- Create a quiet environment: Create a quiet corner in the classroom where the student can retreat if they feel overstimulated. Provide soft lighting and reduce visual and auditory stimuli. Look at the place in the classroom. For example, use a hearing protector and/or a concentration screen.
- Give the student space: Give the student space to move and breathe. Allow them to sometimes walk around the classroom when they can’t concentrate or feel uncomfortable. It can also help to take breaks so they can relax and catch their breath. To do this, make a corner in the classroom or in the hallway with a beanbag and distracting material.
- Plan activities carefully: Plan the day carefully so that there is enough time for rest and relaxation. Alternate activities that require more effort with quiet activities. Avoid too much noise or chaotic situations. Have the student leave the class first or last, when the hallway is too busy.
- Communicate with parents: Discuss with parents how you can best support their child in the classroom and work together to create a plan that can be implemented both at home and at school.
- Give positive feedback: Give the student positive feedback regularly and acknowledge their strengths and achievements. Highly sensitive children often have low self-esteem and can quickly feel discouraged. Giving positive feedback can help them boost their self-confidence.
- Strike a good balance: It’s important to strike a good balance between supporting the highly sensitive student and creating an environment that’s appropriate for all students in the classroom. It is important to take into account the needs of the highly sensitive student, but also to ensure that the rest of the class is not forgotten.
