Ear Muffs for sound at lunch?!

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Hey everyone,

My son's teacher asked me today if I would buy Joe some ear muffs or something for him to wear during lunch. He does not eat well with all the loud noise. I have no problem buying them and giving it a try but I am nervous about other kids making fun of him.

Currently he eats out on the patio but she wants him to get used to eating with the rest of the kids.

Any ideas on how to either make them look cool or what to do?

I don't want him to get picked on, he is only in kindergarten.

Thanks guys.

Maybe try to find something with a character he enjoys. Something like Spiderman or Thomas the Train for example.

Also, if he isn't too sensitive to them, you could try ear plugs. They are small and won't be that noticeable. He could pick out a color he really likes. It night be fun for him.

I hope you find something that works for him.

Its good that the teacher wants him to get used to eating with the rest of the kids. take him to the store and let him pick them out. if he likes the way they look and feel and likes to wear them than if or when another kid says something negative about them he may not care what they say.
i peersonaly have used protective ear muffs or headphones since i was 3. when i was in elementary school, junior high, and high school i got to listen to music on my headphones when i worked on my assignments after the teacher was done talking and i still do in coloege. by the way im 25 and love my ear muffs and headphones.

Yes children can be mean and I'm sure you are very worried. Perhaps discuss your concerns with the staff at his school so that they can keep a closer eye on it and possibly stop the teasing before it gets too bad.
They are obviously caring if they thought of earmuffs for your little boy so that he can practice socializing a bit.

I'm sure they will understand and be watchful.

The earmuffs are worth a shot and he gets to be the kid with the really cool Darth Vader earmuffs! Decorating them with an airbrush is a great idea.

So my sister ran out and got him some of the ear protectors from the local gun range (kid size) they are blue and black and kind of cute actually. She is such a great aunt, ran out and got them asap. We are going to give them a try tomorrow at lunch. On a side note, my dad saw them when my sister dropped them off to me and he started saying that I am crazy and that I am making him look like a dork. I said it wasn't even my idea, that it was his teacher's idea. He said that I let him get away with not doing stuff and I am making him worse. Because I don't force him to "overcome" his fears. I just bit my tongue and tried to change the subject .Id rather him wear headphones than not eat his lunch.

Both my kids have the Pelter ear defenders and no one makes fun of them. My daughter would not know if someone was making fun of her anyway. My son just tells the other kids that sometimes things are too loud and it keeps him from stuffing his socks in other peoples mouths or pounding on them He would not do that but he does tell people that sometimes too much noise makes him really angry and hed rather be nice .....also they kind of look like normal ear phones that people use to listen to music.

Update: Just wanted to let you know that he wore the ear protectors today at lunch and he loved them! He ate with all the other kids. So far a great day!

Thanks!

--Megan and Joe

For anyone else reading this, we had the same concern. Turns out my son loves his headphones. Make sure you get the kind where it drowns out background noise but he can still hear someone talking to him-- this way he is still able to socialize at lunch and feel like he is a part of his class. Quite frankly, it is so loud in that cafeteria, I bet all the kids wish they had them. I had a headache for an hour after I ate lunch with him. I don't know how the teacher gets them calm enough to learn after lunch.

He also uses them at gym class, at the movie theater, fireworks display (loves to watch, hates to hear), and sometimes if he needs to escape in a crowded place, especially if there are crying babies (at amusement parks). I think you have to weigh the stigma (although my son does not seem to care) against what could be gained by keeping him in a situation that would be a good experience for him. We have had other kids mention something about them, and his response was to let them try them.

He is only 6, so maybe he will feel differently if he still needs them when he is 10. I have been warned though that at some point he needs to be desensitized to the sounds if he doesn't outgrow it; otherwise, he might be one of those kids--or adults-- listening to an ipod constantly and refusing interaction in places like a restaurant or using his sound sensitivity as an excuse to escape social situations that make him nervous.