How to help an overstimulated child during the Christmas holidays

Read time: 5 minutes

Published on: 06/12/24

Christmas is a magical time filled with festive celebrations, family gatherings, and plenty of excitement. However, the increased stimulation during this period can sometimes be overwhelming for your little ones. The flashing bright lights, loud noises, changes in routine, and an influx of visitors can all contribute to sensory overload. For babies and toddlers, managing these experiences can be difficult, and this often leads to irritability, meltdowns, and exhaustion.

So, let’s explore how to help young children cope with overstimulation during the busy holiday season. In this guide, we’ll share practical tips for maintaining a balanced routine, incorporating quiet time, and managing holiday excitement—ensuring a stress-free environment that keeps you, your guests, and your little ones calm and happy throughout the festivities.

1. Recognising signs of overstimulation

It’s important to recognise the signs that your child may be feeling overwhelmed. Babies and toddlers often show signs of sensory overload through their behaviour. Common indicators include:

• Crying or fussiness: If your child is unusually tearful or irritable without a clear reason, they may be feeling overwhelmed.
• Tantrums or meltdowns: Toddlers, in particular, may respond to sensory overload with frustration, resulting in tantrums or emotional outbursts.
• Difficulty settling down for naps or bedtime: If your child struggles to wind down or seems restless when it's time to sleep, it could be due to too much stimulation.
• Withdrawing from social interaction: Babies and toddlers might avoid eye contact, turn away, or seek a safe space when they’ve had enough social activity.

Recognising these signs early allows you to intervene with calming strategies before the overstimulation escalates.

2. Maintain a predictable routine

While it can be challenging during the festive season with gatherings and travel, keeping key elements of your child’s daily schedule intact—such as meal times, naps, and bedtime—can provide a sense of stability.

Tips for maintaining a routine:

• Stick to regular mealtimes: Ensuring your child eats at their usual times helps maintain their energy levels and keeps them from becoming too hungry, which can worsen irritability.
• Keep to nap schedules: Naps are vital for helping babies and toddlers recharge. If you’re out for the day, try to provide opportunities for your child to snooze in a safe space away from loud noises. This could be in a pushchair or travel cot away from the hustle and bustle. Taking a portable nightlight with you to help them drift off is also a great idea.
• Follow a familiar bedtime routine: Even if you’re visiting family or hosting guests, sticking to your child’s bedtime routine (e.g., bath, story, quiet time) can help them feel safe and secure.

By maintaining a predictable routine, you give your child the structure they need to feel grounded during an otherwise hectic time.

3. Create quiet time and safe spaces

Holiday activities often involve a lot of bright lights, music, and interaction with unfamiliar people. While this can be exciting, it’s important to balance the festivities with calm, quiet time. Creating opportunities for your child to retreat to a quieter, safe space can help them reset when the hustle and bustle becomes too much.

How to create quiet spaces:

• Designate a quiet area in your home where your child can go when they need a break. This could be their bedroom or a quiet corner with their favourite toys and a blanket. Blackout blinds are also a great idea.
• Provide comfort items, such as a stuffed toy, blanket, or dummy, which can help soothe them during moments of sensory overload.
• Incorporate calming activities like reading a book, listening to soft music, or playing with sensory toys (e.g., a soft-textured blanket or a fidget toy).

Encouraging your child to take breaks and engage in quiet activities gives them time to recharge, making it easier for them to manage excitement.

4. Limit overly stimulating activities

While it’s tempting to fill your holiday calendar with festive events and activities, it’s important to strike a balance, as too many high-energy activities in one day can overwhelm young children.

Suggestions for balancing activities:

• Alternate between high-energy activities, such as visiting Santa’s grotto or going to a party, with low-key ones, like a family movie night or decorating the tree at home.
• Limit exposure to loud noises and bright lights. If you’re attending a holiday event with a lot of noise, make sure your child has ear defenders or takes regular breaks in quieter areas.
• If you’re attending a large family gathering, consider staying for just a few hours rather than the whole day. This allows your child to participate without becoming overstimulated.

5. Be mindful

Some children are more sensitive to sensory input than others, and it’s important to tailor your approach based on your child’s individual needs. Children with heightened sensory sensitivities may react strongly to certain bright lights, sounds, or textures during the holidays. Being mindful of this can help you create a more comfortable and enjoyable environment.

How to accommodate sensory sensitivities:

• Choose soft lighting at home rather than harsh, flashing Christmas lights, which can be overwhelming.
• Reduce loud background noise, such as loud music or TVs, especially during family gatherings.
• Offer sensory-friendly activities, like quiet play with sensory bins filled with soft textures or holiday-themed playdough.

By adapting your surroundings to your child’s sensory preferences, you can help them stay calm and enjoy the holidays without feeling overwhelmed.

6. Allow for flexibility

While maintaining routine and structure is important, it’s equally essential to remain flexible. Every day during the holiday season can bring different challenges, and sometimes plans don’t go exactly as expected. If your child becomes overstimulated despite your best efforts, give yourself grace and adjust the day’s activities as needed.

Sometimes, taking a step back, offering extra cuddles, and scaling back on the schedule is the best way to manage overstimulation and keep the festive spirit alive for everyone.

A peaceful and happy Holiday season for all

The holiday season is a time of joy and excitement, but it can also be overwhelming for young children who aren’t used to the sensory overload that comes with the celebrations. By maintaining routine, incorporating quiet time, and being mindful of your child’s sensory needs, you can help them navigate the festive season with ease and comfort. With a bit of preparation and flexibility, the holidays can be an enjoyable and memorable time for the whole family—filled with moments of fun, laughter, and calm.

Please note that this article is for entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.