Wearing earphones in class to aid concentration?

[giddly]

My DD started in year 3 today. She has some relatively minor issues with concentration, but these seem to be getting much better according to her end of term report, and she did fine in her SATs. She came home saying she's been told that she has to wear earphones when working in class to block out nois, and this will start later this week. We haven't been told about this and everything was very positive at the end of last year. Is this common practice for children who have some problems concentrating? I'll be going to see the school to discuss further but feel at bit that this has been thrust upon her (and us). Any experience of this? Many thanks

[juniper9]

How does she feel about it? Is she keen?

The only children I've ever known to wear headphones are those with autism, who find the noises within a classroom unbearable.

[giddly]

She doesn't have a problem with noise normally, and seems pretty bemused about the whole thing to be honest. Yes, I've only every come across it for sensory issues (which she doesn't have) which is why I'm a bit surprised.

[giddly]

Anyone else have experience?

[Elibean]

Perhaps someone was just trying to be helpful?? But I would definitely have a chat with her teacher, to find out what and why.

Ironically, dd1 occasionally makes wry remarks about wishing she had headphones on to block out certain annoyingly noisy kids in her class

[giddly]

Maybe Elibean. It just seems a bit sudden and not thought out - am not averse to the idea per se. She's never had any extra help / SENCO involvement before - we were told it wasn't enough of a problem to warrant it. I've never seen any of the children wearing them before (and I've been in and out of various classes over the last few years) and am sure there must be some children there with more pronounced difficulties in concentration than DD. Maybe it's a new thing and they're trying it out for a group of them? Just windering if there is new research / recommendations on this?

[Elibean]

I've not seen or heard anything, but that doesn't mean there isn't!

I'd be curious to know what her teacher says, if you don't mind coming back to update

[giddly]

Will do!

[Listentomum]

I would want to see the headphones too, as in my experience of children who have sensory issues they tend to be very large ear defenders.

Although this is very helpful very helpful in terms of sensory management for children above the age of infant school it makes them stands out so much.

I would think it would be very unfair to unnecessarily single dd out like this, if it is a case of looking for strategies to manage her behaviour then that is what they need to be doing with her. Finding out her triggers, encouraging her to move before she becomes distracted, set a quite working area in the class. The teacher needs to manage the general noise level of the class far better rather than relying upon such a strategy.

[MidniteScribbler]

I had a student a few years ago with autism that we usedthis method with during exams. He would be very distracted by any noise or movement in a quiet classroom, even a bird outside the window, or a pencil being dropped, or someone sneezing would break his concentration and take a long time for hime to return to work. The music was fairly quiet music (relaxation and classical on a low volume), but it was enough for him to stop hearing the outside noises and to focus on his work. Weused an ipod and bud headphones, and it was locked in my drawer except when needed.

[Amy106]

I have had students in the past who have used head phones to block out noises in certain situations. This is something you really need to discuss with the teacher to find out what is going on and why this choice has been made for your child.

[SE13Mummy]

In the past I've suggested to parents/pupils that ear plugs might be worth a try - for pupils who've found the very echoey, high-ceilinged classroom problematic.

The couple of Y4 pupils that used these found them useful and kept them in their pencilcases for use when they felt they needed them.

Full-on ear defenders are less subtle! If your DD isn't that keen on the idea then, after ensuring that she is sitting in a seat that faces front, is near the front (both of which may help concentration as there will be less to filter out en route to the board/teacher) then perhaps foam earplugs might be worth trying?

[Gipfeli]

In dd's class there are 4 or 5 pairs of ear defenders just hanging on hooks to be used by any child whenever the child feels they need them. Dd in general has no problem with concentration but even so on some days the noise disturbs her more and she can take them.