Opportunity Gap: How to Support Kids of Color Who Learn Differently

Helping kids navigate the holiday season

Dec 4, 2024

The holiday season can overwhelm kids with learning differences, but parents can help them thrive. Strategies include preparing for social interactions and creating calm spaces for moments of stress. Clear expectations provide a sense of security, ensuring kids know what to expect. Practical tips for teaching sharing and managing holiday challenges are shared, making the festive season more enjoyable for everyone. Plus, discover resources to help kids navigate their unique social landscapes.

10:55

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Quick takeaways

Parents should help kids prepare for social interactions by practicing various scenarios to ease anxiety and build confidence.

Creating calm spaces and setting clear expectations can significantly reduce sensory overwhelm, helping children feel more secure during festive events.

Deep dives

Understanding Holiday Overwhelm

The holiday season can introduce significant stress and anxiety for children with learning and thinking differences, primarily due to changes in routine and sensory overload. Bright lights, loud noises, and the demands of family gatherings can be especially challenging, as many of these children thrive on consistency. The busyness of the season often leads to turmoil, making it imperative for parents to understand the potential triggers that can overwhelm their children. By recognizing these challenges, caregivers can begin to develop strategies to support and help their children navigate the holiday festivities more comfortably.

Navigating Holiday Challenges for Kids with Learning Differences

10min

Navigating Social Interactions for Kids During the Holidays

3min

The holiday season is filled with joy and spending time with loved ones. But the festivities with their big gatherings, bright lights, and loud noises can be a lot for kids with learning and thinking differences to handle.

So, how can parents help kids prepare for the busy holiday season? Listen as Julian shares:

Tips to help kids prepare for social interactions
Ways to create calm spaces for when kids begin to feel overwhelmed
Reasons why setting clear expectations can help kids feel more secure and prepared

Related resources

Timestamps

(00:38) Understanding holiday overwhelm for kids

(01:44) Ways to practice social scenarios

(03:28) Tips on how to teach kids to share

(05:17) How to create a calm space for kids

(07:16) Why it’s important to set clear expectations

To get a transcript and check out more episodes, visit the Opportunity Gap episode page at Understood.

We love to hear from our listeners. Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org.

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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