Helping and Increasing Self Confidence in Highly Sensitive Children

What is high sensitivity?

Hypersensitivity, also known as high sensitivity, occurs in about 1 in 5 children. These children experience stimuli more intensely and have more difficulty processing information from their environment. This can manifest as hypersensitivity to sounds, light, smells and subtle signals from others. It is important to understand that high sensitivity is an innate trait and that each child is unique in how they experience this trait.

Causes of insecurity and fear of failure

Highly sensitive children are often more sensitive to approval and rejection from others. This makes them vulnerable to developing insecurity and fear of failure. They may adapt strongly to others to avoid rejection, which can lead to suppressing their own talents and needs. It is crucial to take these feelings seriously and provide a supportive environment in which they feel safe to be themselves.

Highly sensitive and stimulus seeking

Highly sensitive children often need quiet and feel quickly overwhelmed by too many stimuli. On the other hand, there are also children who actively seek out stimuli in order to feel good. Both types have unique needs in their handling of emotions and environmental stimuli, which affects how they behave in different situations.

Tips to boost self-confidence

1. Acceptance and Understanding: Show understanding of your child's feelings and acknowledge their high sensitivity as a trait that makes them unique. Show that it's okay to be sensitive and that they don't always have to be perfect.

2. Positive Feedback: Give compliments that focus on their efforts and achievements, not just their traits. For example, praise them for their perseverance in completing a task rather than just emphasizing how smart they are.

3. Step-by-step Support: Encourage your child to try new things in small steps that are achievable. Celebrate successes, no matter how small, to boost their self-confidence.

4. Empowerment: Help your child solve problems and make decisions on their own. Give them space to learn from mistakes and encourage them to express themselves.

5. Encourage Self-Awareness: Encourage reflection on their own emotions, needs and strengths. This helps them develop a realistic self-image and rely less on external approval.

6. Stable Structure: Create a predictable and calm environment at home and school. Structure helps reduce stress and anxiety in highly sensitive children.

7. Supportive Environment: Work with teachers and other caregivers to create a supportive environment that recognizes and respects your child's unique needs.

Highly sensitive children often need extra time and understanding to feel comfortable in different social situations. By striking a balance between providing protection and encouraging them to have new experiences, you as a parent or caregiver can help increase their self-confidence and promote healthy development.