How To Help Children And Youth Affected By Frequent Daydreaming
Daydreams, although they may look like a waste of time, can be a source of creativity, emotional calm, and intellectual clarity. Daydreams can frighten parents who want their child or youth to be successful in the world. They can also be a sign of conditions that can lead to serious learning difficulties. Daydreams can also become a habit of avoidance of engagement with living and learning. As a negative factor, daydreaming can be due to a combination of: neurological conditions; attention and focusing difficulties; emotional trauma; avoidance of suffering; not appearing alert; un-stimulating environment; over-stimulating environment; boredom; role models of avoidance; nutritional imbalances; exposure to environmental pollutants; over-expectations; under-expectations; inappropriate and unstimulating curricula; teaching styles not matching the child’s or youth’s learning styles; perceptual challenges; difficulty with attention; physical disorganization; abuses of all kinds. Daydreaming as a positive factor may be due to: creativity; preparing for creativity; resting.
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First, We Would Investigate |
Second, We Would Investigate |
For Long Term Support |
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On Our Own We Would Try: • Replace sodas, juices, sugars, fats, fast foods with water, veggies, whole grains, nuts, protein, fruit, slow food • Long Walks/Hikes • Bedtime Stories and Chats • Wholesome Pleasures • Back Rubs and Foot Massages • Nature • Pets • Less or No TV, Movies, Video/Computer Games |
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For Parents: • Avoid teasing or blaming children or youth about daydreaming. Treating the child or youth as normally as possible is essential. • Give calm, loving, gentle engagement and acknowledgement. • Trust the child or youth’s nature while investigating practices and giving support. |
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Check out: www./MedLinePlus.gov; www.KidsHealth.org; www.pbs.org/wgbh/misunderstoodminds; www.traumasoma.com/index.shtml (very technical); www.acestudy.org. |