Without intending to, parents can make their children feel as if something is amiss with them.
We've seen this happen a lot with extremely sensitive kids as parenting researchers. Many parents regard sensitivity as a negative characteristic, believing that it makes us appear overwhelmed, passive, or even feeble, and discourage it with phrases such as "Stop crying! " or "Get it off! ”
Highly sensitive children have an edge in terms of empathy.
Not only do highly sensitive children exhibit greater creativity, consciousness, and openness than less sensitive children, but they also exhibit an underappreciated trait: empathy.
In one study, participants were shown photos of individuals who were either smiling or sad. They discovered that the brains of sensitive individuals had the highest degree of empathic response.
Their brains were also more active in areas linked to action planning. This suggests that, as sensitive people frequently claim, they couldn't look at a stranger in pain without feeling compelled to assist.
Because sensitive children are more affected by their experiences than their classmates, they benefit from additional support, training, and encouragement. Because of this boost effect, they are top achievers.
Highly Sensitive kids usually do the following
1. They notice minor details like a teacher's new outfit or when furniture is relocated.
2. They are greatly influenced by the emotions of others. They readily absorb other people's emotions, adopting their feelings as their own.
3. They have difficulty shaking strong feelings such as anger or worry.
4. They gripe when something doesn't feel right (e.g., scratchy bedsheets, itchy clothing labels, tight waistbands).
5. Because of the strong odours, they feel stressed and fatigued in noisy, busy settings such as gyms or perfume counters.
6. They dislike feeling hurried and prefer to take their time.
7. They react better to gentle correction than harsh punishment.
8.They make insightful remarks and appear knowledgeable for their age.
9.They have a wicked sense of humour.
10. They read people well and can deduce what they are thinking or feeling with surprising accuracy.
11. They are averse to certain meals due to their smells or textures.
12. They are easily startled by sudden sounds, such as when someone sneaks up on them.
If any of these observations ring true, keep in mind that this is a good occurrence. Highly sensitive children approach their environment in a completely different way, which is a strength.
How parents can help sensitive kids thrive
1. Set expectations ahead of time to help sensitive children flourish.
Sensitive children require time to process information, and establishing expectations provides them with a choice: they know what will happen if they meet those expectations, and they know there will be repercussions if they do not.
It can be as easy as saying, "Today we're visiting grandma in the nursing home. Because some individuals there aren't feeling well, we'll need to use inside voices and calm bodies."
2. Use gentle punishment.
Because sensitive children are more sensitive, they are more easily wounded, and they can take criticism personally.
Rather than placing them in time out, set up a calm-down zone with comfort items (e.g., stuffed animals, a weighted blanket) where they can go if they are having difficulty regulating their emotions.
Following the discipline, offer them positive affirmations and reassure them of your love.
3. Serve as their emotional guide.
Every day, you teach your children emotional regulation skills by modelling how you handle your emotions, whether it's job stress or your child's meltdowns.
The more deliberate you are about it, the better the model you set.
4. Speak up for them.
Talk to your child's teachers about their sensitivity at the start of the school year, before any possible conflicts or misperceptions arise.
And tell your child how pleased you are of them when they use their sensitivity (for example, using their imagination or showing empathy for a friend who is going through a difficult time).
5. Become interested in their universe.
Make time to speak and play with them alone, away from their siblings.
Pose open-ended inquiries. "What was difficult for you today?" for example, will generate more discussion than "Did you have a bad day?"
Attempt to comprehend what your kid feels in their body and through their five senses. Their responses may startle you.
