The Outcomes of Overstimulation by Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley 

In this blog, Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley discusses the signs of overstimulation and what educators and parents can do to make sure the harmful effects of overstimulation are minimized as much as possible. 

Children of today's world are constantly inundated with information, sounds and activities. While a stimulating environment is necessary for brain development, with the increased use of mobile phones, the environment has become, undoubtedly, too stimulating. This forms a hindrance towards cognitive growth and emotional soundness. 

What Is Overstimulation?

To begin with, overstimulation occurs when a child is exposed to a level of input that is higher than what their brain can process. Overstimulation can be in many forms. It can be auditory (in areas with loud or constant noise), or visual (too many bright lights or rapidly changing lights), or tactile (uncomfortable physical settings like areas with crowds). 

Children’s neurological systems are still developing until the age of 7. Before that, if exposed to too much information, their brains can “crash”, as in they can shut down or become anxious or irritable. 

Signs of Overstimulation in Young Children

Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley has guidelines for parents and educators regarding overstimulation, the signs of which can be:

• Mood swings or irritable nature 

• Lack of continuous sleep or restlessness 

• Inability to focus and listen to instructions 

• Temper tantrums without a clear cause 

• Reluctance is social interactions 

• Anxiety around routine tasks or transitions

• Clinginess or withdrawal of emotions

Generally, parents confuse the symptoms of overstimulation with behavioral issues. Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready emphasizes the need for parents and educators to be mindful if their child is exhibiting such signs.

The Link Between Overstimulation and Anxiety

According to experts, overstimulation has been linked with anxiety. When the brain of the child is filled with sensory overload, the body goes into the “fight or flight” mode. With the passage of time, repeated overstimulation can result in chronic stress responses in the body, which often manifests itself in the form of anxiety. 

Excessive stress, nail-biting, constant shaking of knees are just some of the signs that represent an anxious body. Mental fatigue is another aspect of overstimulation. As an adult, if you have been social the whole day, it is natural to feel drained. Same is the case with children, but with information. Mental fatigue makes it harder for them to perform even simple tasks, let alone learn anything new. 

Supporting Children in a Calm, Structured Environment

In order to protect children from overstimulation, Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready urges the parents and educators to create a calm and safe environment. Some of the strategies that can be adopted by parents and educators to reduce overstimulation are:

• Limiting screen time and using calm, educational content

• Creating quiet time or "down time" throughout the day

• Using soft lighting and soothing background music

• Avoiding overscheduling—give children time to rest and play freely

• Practicing deep breathing or simple mindfulness with your child

Conclusion

In today’s fast paced world, overstimulation is a growing concern, largely affecting young children. Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready says that recognizing the signs of overstimulation and acting swiftly is vital for parents and educators. Children who are overstimulated tend to show behavior problems like throwing tantrums for no apparent reason or being anxious and unable to focus on the task in front of them. 

Simple activities like limiting the screentime or encouraging outdoor play are key techniques that can be used to curb overstimulation. Through the carefully curated guidelines by Kinder Ready Tutoring, educators can make sure the children are thriving in a safe and secure environment. 

For further details on Kinder Ready's programs, visit their website: https://www.kinderready.com/.

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethFraleyKinderReady