Explaining learning difficulties to young child

[Allsortsofroses]

How do you go about this?

My child is attending an activity with an older child who has some learning difficulties. She's a very sweet child but has done some things jy child has been confused or slightly teed off by - like putting bird food they were making as a craft activity on her head (just cheerios!).

As a result she's sometimes rejecting the older little girl's attempts to be friendly & affectionate.

How can I sensitively explain her behaviour? (In a way that minimises the chance my child could say something that offends anybody).

Just tell your child that everyone in the world is different and some children need some help understanding other children as they haven't yet learned things that other children at their age have learned. Then there are some children who learn things really quickly and can't understand that children of their own age are not learning as quickly as themselves. Alot of children are taught from pre school about kind hands children also need to understand kind minds make kind hearts. Good luck and love.

We told our (young, preschool/early primary) children that some people's brains work differently.

So a lady we saw regularly at church was louder than everyone else, and moved her hands a lot because her brain thought it was the right thing to do.

That a non verbal man we knew didn't talk because his brain was different, and he preferred making noises instead.

They accepted this and DS stopped being worried about the noises. When grandparents came to stay (he was 4) he explained to them before church that there would be some strange noises, but 'it's ok, it's just the way his brain likes to do singing'

As someone who has grown up with folk who have learning disabilities and ended up making it my career (by accident, long story!) please invite her round for tea OP, if you can. It will make everything easier and better for all of you.
My lovely daughters, who don't have a LD but I wouldn't mind a bit if they did, are so much better and kinder for their experiences. My eldest even did Camp America at a special needs camp which gave her friendships and experiences which were life changing!
PS I don't usually say 'special needs' that's just what they say over there!

To explain my son's LD to my daughter we told her that everyone has things they are really good at and somethings they find difficult. When people find things difficult, we can help them by showing how or by being patient as they learn. Then if she was having difficulty with something, her brother would be patient with her and might be able to help. We used examples such as my son being very kind and sharing as things he was good at, that he was very often happy and liked making others happy.

I agree with saying everyone's brains work differently. My son is autistic and that's how I explain some of his behaviours to his little brother
I also say to them 'everyone is different and the world would be boring if we were all the same'. My youngest finished the sentence for me not long ago so I must say it a lot

@Charmatt I used to work, as a care worker with a lady who lived in a sheltered housing complex with her Dad, who had dementia, and she had Down's Syndrome. We went into the common room and they were making Easter Bonnets. The person I was with made a really beautiful bonnet and another, resident came over to me and said 'everyone has their gifts, don't forget that'.

It's true - everyone has their gifts and I'm so proud of my son for his gifts; kindness, happiness, generosity and a beautiful positive outlook.

It hasn't always been easy for my daughter to accept my son's LD - she's a young teenager and her elder brother appears eccentric (at best) to her friends, but she's learning and when he needs her, she shows her best side.

Following with interest. I often used to make friends at primary with children my (psycho) mum would describe as "simple" or "defective". I don't ever remember her or anyone else explaining that some people need a little extra help.

I was always kind to my friends and I feel like I naturally knew.

My 8 year-old son has learning difficulties. We say that we are all good at different things and we all find some things difficult. My 8 year-old son struggles with reading, writing and maths but he is very good at tidying up, which his teenage brother struggles with.

it's just the way his brain likes to do singing'.

Your son is a kind genius. This line is going to make me smile the whole day long.

I'd like to try to explain tactfully why this little girl might be acting this way, so my child doesnt reject her friendship/affection.

Not quite sure how to put it.