School through the eyes of an HSP Child
- Caprice
- Aug 13, 2016
- 3 min read
If you're not an HSP, take a moment here to experience things through the senses of an HSP. Also, shrink yourself down to the size of a first grader so almost everyone is bigger. Oh, also, you don't have a sophisticated ability to describe your internal experience nor the understanding that your experience of the world is different from those around you. Finally, take most or all of your senses including social awareness and dial up the volume at least 10x.
My son's first grade classroom was an HSP nightmare. Unfortunately I hadn't encountered Dr. Elaine Aaron's book yet so I didn't have the framework to identify it. Here's the experience through the senses of an HSP:
1. There was stuff everywhere. Artwork and other educational paraphernalia all over the place. Not an inch of wall or ceiling space was left bare. Visual stimulation to the max!
2. About 21 kids and 2 teachers spent a large portion of the day all together in one room with no separate, quiet spaces. Social stimulation!
3. There was a designated "quiet" area with books and carpet squares to sit on. This area was in no way separated from the rest of the classroom so the only "quiet" was coming from the child who was attempting to read. No real break from noise stimulation!
4. 23 bodies in one classroom and the occasional if not consistent perfume wearing adult meant definite olfactory stimulation.
5. Desks were placed in pods of 4 facing each other, so 2 kids would be sitting next to each other and they would be facing 2 kids. Again, no break from social stimulation.
6. Break time for kids involves going out for recess. This means running around on a playground and screaming children. Yet again, no break from social stimulation.
Have you been to a school cafeteria? Dear Goddess what a nightmare! My son used to come home not having eaten most of his lunch. We got into arguments about it. Again, having no framework for HSP and not knowing he was one, I didn't understand. I challenge any adult, HSP or not to enjoy and properly digest a meal under those conditions. My son now goes to a Montessori school, which we were fortunate enough to be able to do for him. The classrooms are much calmer visually and much quieter. Even so, my son complains about noise.
All this said, I am married to a non-HSP and have many non-HSP friends. On a regular basis, when I step back to look at the world through their eyes, I can see that they find many of the above situations to be pleasant, enjoyable and even refreshing. I am in awe! Sometimes, I'm even a little envious. However, I like the way I am and am grateful to have survived school. But, that's the problem. Kids shouldn't have to white knuckle it through school. Given that we are about 20% of the population and our sensitivity is a gift to the world, the needs of HSP's need to be taken into consideration. Just as the other 80% has the opportunity to replenish their energy with lively, noisy, stimulating activities, HSP's need quiet, calm spaces with low stimulation. They need to be encouraged to trust their instinct to take a break from it all so they can come back fresh and ready to embrace more challenges.
Obviously a lot more needs to be covered on this topic but this is a start for me. Let me know your experiences with school as a child or your child's experiences. I really want to see more and more awareness of this issue brought into schools.
If you think your kid(s) might be HSP, take this test. Then you can begin the process of figuring out how empower them.
Blessings!
Caprice
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