March 2011-Parent Tip on Your Sensitive Child
Parenting the Sensitive Child through the years.
Does your child startle easily? Does you child learn better from gentle correction versus strong punishment? Does your child not do well with big changes? These and other signs may indicate that you are raising a child who is sensitive. In the book The Highly Sensitive Child by Elaine Aron (2002), the author discusses and defines the highly sensitive child and how to help your child navigate at home and in the world.
PRESCHOOL AGE-The author states that with every situation, your child (and you) will ask 3 important questions; 1) Is it safe to go ahead?, 2) Do I have what it takes to handle today?, and 3) Do things usually work out?. It is particularly important to plan ahead and set up the situation for success. Preparation is the key to entering a new situation successfully and confidently. When a preschooler is going to school for the first time, take a tour of the school beforehand, meet the teachers, and get a feel for the setting. This will help the first day of school go much smoother for your highly sensitive child. If this is a new temporary class or playdate, mention a way out or an easy exit in case things don't go as well as planned. Finally, it is important to praise any success and enthusiasm!
SCHOOL AGE-Assess the amount of stress in the home and outside the home. Don't underestimate the importance of food and sleep. Try and make the homefront one in which the child can come home to for nurturance, safety, and routine. Making a list of your child's assets and strengths as well as the problems in their life is an important first step in helping your child realize the things that are going well in their life and the things they may need some help with. That is where you as the parent comes in...Make a list of the problem areas (whether that is with a sibling, school or friend) and ask which one they would like to work on. Next come up with a plan together and decide on a final goal. Try and come up with some creative solutions together-especially if this is an old issue.
For more information and great tips on living with a highly sensitive child and helping them navigate through the years of preschool to teens, read the book referenced above for other good insights into your sensitive child.
Thanks!
Jennifer Moyer-Taylor
PRESCHOOL AGE-The author states that with every situation, your child (and you) will ask 3 important questions; 1) Is it safe to go ahead?, 2) Do I have what it takes to handle today?, and 3) Do things usually work out?. It is particularly important to plan ahead and set up the situation for success. Preparation is the key to entering a new situation successfully and confidently. When a preschooler is going to school for the first time, take a tour of the school beforehand, meet the teachers, and get a feel for the setting. This will help the first day of school go much smoother for your highly sensitive child. If this is a new temporary class or playdate, mention a way out or an easy exit in case things don't go as well as planned. Finally, it is important to praise any success and enthusiasm!
SCHOOL AGE-Assess the amount of stress in the home and outside the home. Don't underestimate the importance of food and sleep. Try and make the homefront one in which the child can come home to for nurturance, safety, and routine. Making a list of your child's assets and strengths as well as the problems in their life is an important first step in helping your child realize the things that are going well in their life and the things they may need some help with. That is where you as the parent comes in...Make a list of the problem areas (whether that is with a sibling, school or friend) and ask which one they would like to work on. Next come up with a plan together and decide on a final goal. Try and come up with some creative solutions together-especially if this is an old issue.
For more information and great tips on living with a highly sensitive child and helping them navigate through the years of preschool to teens, read the book referenced above for other good insights into your sensitive child.
Thanks!
Jennifer Moyer-Taylor