Creating a Sensory-Friendly Home for Your Highly Sensitive Child
We connect with the world through our senses; we see, hear, touch, taste, and feel to make sense of everything around us. This ability is a part of human experience, but for a highly sensitive child, it rolls out a little differently. Their nervous systems are more finely tuned, and so what may seem like a bright yellow wall paint to you may actually be a source of emotional overwhelm for them in the house. They may feel anxious or even exhausted by minute stimuli that may not even be noticeable. And so, it is essential that we build spaces around them that help them function optimally. Keep reading for tips on how to create a sensory-friendly home for your highly sensitive child!
Why a Sensory-Friendly Home Matters for Sensitive Children?
You might be wondering, is a sensory-friendly home really necessary? The answer is, yes!!. For all humans, the home is a place of utmost relaxation and grounding. It is where a child spends most of their formative years and needs a buffer from the outside world. When a child feels physically and emotionally safe at home, it creates the foundation for secure attachment, confidence, and regulation.
A home that takes care of a sensitive child’s emotional sensitivities is where they will feel most comfortable. It will prevent overload, which is often the root of emotional outbursts. A calming environment also empowers children to identify their own sensory needs independently over time.
Sensory-friendly homes with predictable spaces enhance your child’s daily functioning. They are able to focus and work better, which ultimately allows them to excel academically and socially. Also, they are able to engage fully and exhibit fewer stress-related behaviors.
Most importantly, a sensory-friendly home allows you to have a healthy relationship with your child that’s built on trust. Catering to their sensory sensitivities is a way of communicating affection that tells your child that they are loved and valued.
Key to a Sensory-Friendly Home: Identifying Sensory Sensitivities
The first step to building a sensory-friendly home is to deeply analyze your current space. Your highly sensitive child may show signs of sensory sensitivities that may be overlooked easily. So, it is important to observe behaviors and patterns first. Does your child get upset in noisy places? Do they avoid tags in their clothes? These might be clues, don’t ignore them!!. Look for signs of overwhelm, anxiety, or stubbornness around major activities throughout the day, like bathing, dressing, or eating. And when any of this happens, identify the trigger as well; is it the colour of the wall, the sound of the grinder, or the food that they’re eating? Once you know their sensitivities, you will be better able to help them.
6 Elements of a Sensory-Friendly Home
Light-Up Wisely
Proper lighting is what makes your home shine! However, special care must be taken around a highly sensitive child for whom harsh light may cause sensory overload. Using soft and warm-toned bulbs creates a sensory-friendly home as compared to sharp fluorescents. Wherever possible, try to incorporate natural light in your house; it has a soothing effect. Finally, for days with plenty of sunshine, don’t forget to have big blackout curtains that can help you avoid that overstimulation.
Minimize The Noise
If your child occasionally covers up their ear or gets frustrated during an argument, chances are that you have high noise volume in your house. Use rugs, soft furnishings, and curtains to absorb most of this sound. Alternatively, play calming music that helps your child relax, and do not shy away from offering noise-cancelling headphones if the loud sound is totally unavoidable.
Colours and Textures
Colors are the backdrop of your home. It is fun to be creative with them, but in a way that minds the sensibilities of your child. Opting for cool tones like blues, greens, or neutrals is the best way to regulate their emotions and help them stay calm. Busy patterns with a high contrast of colors usually have a lot going on, which your child may find exhausting, so it’s better to avoid them.
Simplify and Organize
Highly sensitive children are hyper-aware of their surroundings, and so they are most likely to notice when something’s out of place. This could trigger an emotion in them, and to avoid this, it’s best to reduce visual clutter to lower their cognitive load. Make generous use of bins, labels, and open shelves for a sensory-friendly home.
Space for Calmness
There may be sensory stimulations in your child’s everyday life that you’re unable to control. For example, an unexpected guest or a heated conversation in the house. In such instances, it’s ideal to have a designated space in the house that your child can resort to as a ‘calm corner’ or a ‘sensory retreat.’ Keep it cozy and warm!
The Right Sensitivities
Having a sensory-friendly home does not mean that you have to say NO to every sensory object. In fact it just means that you incorporate the right kind of sensory stimulations. When your child is growing up, they need to be aware of sensory tools to experience the world and learn more about it. For this, try to introduce sensory tools like a fidget toy or weighted blankets that act as both stimulants and relaxants. Hence, consider sensory-friendly furniture like a swing chair or bean bag, and most importantly, actively listen to what works for them.
Room by Room Guide
Bedroom
A consistent nighttime routine and a comfortable bed can make all the difference for your child. Choose soft and breathable sheets. You can also consider weighted blankets that provide pressure and thus help in physical and emotional regulation. Avoid overhead lighting and keep the space decluttered.
Living room
A living room is supposed to be the most happening place in the house. For a sensory-friendly home, it is important to design it cautiously. Design a cozy nook with cushions or bean bags where your child can retreat to if they feel overwhelmed in a setting with a lot of people. Also, have a seating plan that is easy to navigate and keep sensory-friendly seating like a rocking chair or soft armchair that provides gentle movement.
Bathrooms
A bathroom can be a tricky place to navigate because of its relatively small size. Using soft and non-slip mats provides tactile comfort as well as safety. For nighttime use, install a low-lumen bulb and add towels to fabric curtains that can dampen the sound. Moreover, closing the toilet lid before flushing can reduce the loud and startling noises as well.
Kitchen/Dining
A healthy meal is important for every kid growing up and so we need to make sure that they get all those nutrients without any distraction! Having a space that’s easy to navigate for a highly sensitive child does wonders for both them and their parents. It allows them to reach their designated seat without trouble. Have structured meal times, limit background noise so they can focus on their food, and avoid strong-smelling food if your child is sensitive to scents. You can also have your child assist you in table setting so that they remain engaged.
Routine Plays a Role
A sensory-friendly home will have the right colours, textures, and tools. But for it to become a truly functioning space, it is important to utilize it effectively. This effectiveness comes with routine. Having specified times for meals, bathing, and play time in particular creates a sense of safety for the child because knowing what comes next reduces their anxiety. A predictable routine gives the nervous system time to adjust, and so it prevents sensory overload as well. It also helps develop independence in your child; knowing what to do will most likely result in them attempting the tasks on their own more actively. This harmony between the environment and the child is exactly what creates a sensory-friendly home!
3 Steps to Building a Simple Routine
Divide the day into focused key times: waking up, meals, bath, play, and bedtime.
Use language that is easy to follow, like first we will eat and then we will play. So your child can follow.
Use a simple 3-step process to guide your child. For example, wash hands, sit down, and eat.
When The Calming Space Isn’t Enough
While all of these ideas can be helpful and nice to consider in theory, remember that the most important thing is to go easy on yourself. If organization and home design isn't your thing, don't push yourself into "shoulds" that don't feel authentic. Maybe instead, you can keep one corner of the house that has toys to play with that are kept in an organized fashion for a consistent, relaxed unwinding time. It doesn't have to be all or nothing! Also, it’s important to remember that some sensory stimulants may still be out of your control. And it’s okay, you’re not alone!!. With our Tuned-In parenting course, you will gain confidence in supporting your child for the long run. Connect with them and build a sensory-friendly home environment attuned to their needs.