High learning potential children, especially those who display Imaginational Overexcitability, can have the most wonderfully wild imaginations and immense creativity, but they may also find their overexcitability working against them in times like these. Their ability to visualise the worst possibility in any situation, for instance, may be less than ideal in such extraordinary and unsettling times. How do you support children with imaginational overexcitability during this unprecedented and unnerving time?

1. Understand their overexcitability

A child with imaginational overexcitability is, in many ways, very well-equipped to cope with the situation. No lockdown in the world can stop a child from diving into their world of imagination, and so any sense of constraint may be less keenly felt. There are, however, ways in which their overexcitability may disadvantage them in these times. They may find themselves, during this pandemic, catastrophising and unable to rein in more unwelcome visualisations to do with the current crisis. This can lead to worry and anxiety that may require our intervention and support.

By getting to know the various ways in which imaginational overexcitability can express itself, you will be more prepared to anticipate issues and to support your child effectively. Getting to know both the positive and negative side of it makes a parent so much better placed to help them to maximise the one side and minimise the other. You just have to hope, in these surreal times, that you have enough headspace to get it the right way round!

The mere knowledge that their parents understand them and their overexcitability is a simple yet valuable comfort, especially in such an otherwise uncomfortable time.

2. Comfort and reassure

The imagination can go to scary places. A pandemic does not help. As obvious and simple as it may seem, being there for comfort and reassurance and to allay any fears as much as possible, is an important aspect of supporting a child with imaginational overexcitability. Being well stocked up with cuddles and cheer up chats (the acceptable items to stockpile!) will be vital, as they may be in great demand during these times.

3. Help them to manage their worries

If a child with imaginational overexcitability can arm themselves with a variety of strategies that can help them to manage their fears or worries, then not only will they have the tools to overcome the negative side of their overexcitability, but the sense of control and agency will have a generally positive effect on their overall wellbeing, too.

Mindfulness activity books such as Be Brave! and No Worries! can often help to rein in many fears borne out of an active imagination. Such books have the benefit of utilising techniques ideally suited to a child with imaginational overexcitability, as the doodling, drawing, writing and constantly creative activities really harness their imagination, helping it to become part of the solution.

Mindfulness activity book or not, writing down or drawing their worries can often be of great use. Getting it out and onto paper often lessens the power it has anyway, and if they are happy for you to see their work, then you then have more details to work from, which helps to give considered reassurances to their specific concerns.

You could also regard their trusty bookshelves as valuable tools. Their favourite books or audio books can justifiably be seen as positively therapeutic; whisking their mind away from negative thoughts and redirecting those imaginings to happier lands. Heading off to a quiet reading corner can be a simple but effective option for a child, in helping them to manage their feelings.

For more ideas for the toolbox, see our advice sheet PA606 Worry and Anxiety in High Learning Potential Children.

4. Exploit their superpower!

The positivity of your child’s creativity is not limited merely to situations when they need to manage their worries. It is so much more than that. With their creativity often comes a wonderful sense of humour – use it to get you all through – there’s nothing more therapeutic than laughter. Let their imagination run wild, as long as the focus is positive; really encourage their magical thinking, it will go such a long way in helping them through. They can go to different lands, visit imaginary friends, be any species they like and never limit themselves to the banalities of the here and now.  They could create poetry, prose, plays; pen anything they like, with no particular or pressing reason to do so other than thoroughly enjoying themselves!

With your child’s overexcitability, they can write, draw, daydream, whatever they want, and, yes, if they’ve been at all worried, they can create fantastical ripostes with their imagination where they are the superhero who saves the day; where everyone is safe and together again; where anything can happen as long as it makes them feel better!

Take this unusual opportunity to allow them to express their imagination. Not only might it help to combat any fears that crop up, but, being able to express their overexcitability- perhaps in a way that is not normally possible – will be good for their general wellbeing. It also has the added benefit of being the ultimate lockdown loophole. There is no need to socially distance in your imagination!

5. Take the opportunity not to have to conform

Children with imaginational overexcitability can sometimes encounter trouble in school as their daydreams get the better of them when they should be doing something else. Whilst there is still work for them to do during lockdown, it is worth seeing this time as an opportunity to ease up a little on the requirements to remain in reality. Away from the constraints and confinements of a school day, they can finally indulge their overexcitability and, more than likely, feel an increased sense of wellbeing as the result.

Creating a schedule that incorporates both the required amount of school work, with plenty of room for flights of fancy too, will make the most of the situation. If all of this means that communication with their teacher concerning workload is necessary, then take comfort from knowing that it is, at the very least, a justifiable conversation to have; that you need to factor in their wellbeing to the daily schedule and that no one needs a stressful battle every day.

Many home educating families with ultra-imaginative children would also probably advise parents to trust the process: you may well find that after a few days of allowing the daydreams, the flights of fancy and the imagination to go where it desires, you may end up with some wonderful creations in all sorts of different forms and genres to show their teachers. Just remember, that they are always still learning, just in a different, wonderfully square-pegged kind of way.

6. Take this opportunity to check their level of challenge

Why not take this opportunity to see whether or not there is a correlation between lack of challenge and a propensity to daydream in the classroom or whether your child is better able to concentrate on tasks with less noise around them? Whilst it is, without question, a struggle to juggle this new appointment as home educator along with all the other demands during this lockdown, it is also a rare opportunity to delve deeper into your children’s education and get a better picture of what is or is not quite working, and what may be a barrier to their learning in the classroom. If it becomes clear that the “bad behaviour” and daydreaming reported by your school is directly correlated to a lack of challenge or sensory issues within the classroom, you may find yourself in need of advocating for your child. A child in such a situation is almost being set up to fail, and will often find themselves frustrated and even more disengaged. See our page on Gifted Advocacy for more information on how to approach their school.  If the level of challenge is right and any other issues are addressed, your child will be in a far better position to put their daydreams temporarily on the back burner and knuckle down to the work in the way that is expected of them.

7. Keep them occupied

Whilst your children will, without doubt, have a million of their own ideas, and may even take offence at the mere attempt to introduce other activities into the mix, even the most creative of children may benefit from a bit of inspiration during lockdown, especially if worries or stress is inhibiting their creativity a little. Take a look at our Lockdown Resources on our website for inspiration to keep them challenged and occupied, including many wonderfully creative ideas, and have them up your sleeve for when their imagination needs a little kick start. The busier they are with creative and challenging activities, the less likely they are to be worrying about the situation.

8. Prioritise relaxation and a healthy sleep routine

Great imagination and vivid dreams go hand in hand. Unfortunately, in the current situation, even adults may be finding sleep a little more disturbed, as dreams give voice to anxieties about the global situation. Children with imaginational overexcitability may very well be finding sleep more difficult and dreams more disturbing at the moment. Help offset any anxiety about what the night might bring by focusing heavily on relaxation, especially in the evenings. Try, in general, to create as relaxing an atmosphere as possible, this will help to reduce the amount of bad dreams, and help on days when a disturbed night means tired and frazzled family members the next day.

It may not be the easiest thing to achieve with families all locked down together with no real escape, but try to find a quiet corner of the house for your child (or you!) to go to when they feel the need. Relaxation techniques, yoga or meditation may also be of use and remember to use the exercise allowance to boost wellbeing, too. Whatever it is, make sure that some kind of relaxation is factored into the daily schedule. This can really make a positive difference, going a long way to help foster a sense of wellbeing and to counter the ills of a vivid imagination in the middle of the night.

For more help on sleep and high learning potential children, have a look at our advice sheet, PA605, Sleep and High Learning Potential Children.

9. For more great advice, see Supporting Your Gifted Child during Covid-19 from the National Association for Gifted Children. For even more information on overexcitabilities, have a look at our advice sheet PA610, Hypersensitivity (Dabrowski’s Overexcitabilities), which gives a useful overview of all five overexcitabilities.

10. Look after yourself!

The feats of imagination and creativity achieved by children with imaginational overexcitability can be amazing. Their creativity may lead to some of the most important and innovative inventions in the future; certainly, the trait of this overexcitability can be seen in many a visionary of the past. However, for all of these positives, it does not necessarily equate to an easy life as a parent. Especially in these particularly challenging times, parents may be called upon to really dig deeply into their own resources to provide the comfort and reassurance their children need to combat the worries and fears that their imagination has helped to foster.

It also stands to reason that there may be many a parent of a child with imaginational overexcitability who recognises the trait in themselves, too. Many a parent may, therefore, be busy secretly battling their own worries and trying to stop their own imaginations from running wild. Whatever the specific situation may be, remember that your own wellbeing is important, too. Especially given that there is so much to juggle during this lockdown, it is important to try to remember to look after yourself; to take relaxation and respite however you can and, if putting your own wellbeing anywhere even vaguely near the top of the list feels uncomfortable, then remind yourself that so doing will actually have a positive impact on your child’s wellbeing too. So, hiding in a book corner with your favourite novel whilst devouring your secret stash of chocolate is actually a purely selfless act that is necessary for the wellbeing of your children, honest!

About the author: Caroline Hooton-Picard is an adviser for Potential Plus UK. She has a background in mental health, having worked for Suffolk Mind and also in private practice, and has a first class degree in Philosophy from the University of Essex. She also has a High Learning Potential daughter who keeps her very much on her toes!