How to Help a Highly Sensitive Child

How to Help Highly Sensitive Child

As a parent of a highly sensitive child, you may be looking for ways to help them thrive in a world that isn't always so accommodating.

Highly sensitive children are innately more aware and responsive to their environment than other children, and they can often find the noise and chaos of everyday life overwhelming.

While there is no single recipe for raising a successful highly sensitive child, there are certain things you can do to help them flourish.

Here are tips and strategies to get you started. 

Parenting Therapists in Colorado

Jennifer Luttman, LPC, ACS

Jennifer Luttman, LPC, ACS

Colorado
(719) 345-2424
Naomi Kettner, LPC, NCC

Naomi Kettner, LPC, NCC

Colorado Springs, Colorado
(719) 452-4374
Marie Whatley LPCC

Marie Whatley LPCC

Colorado
(719) 345-2424
Donna Janiec, LPC, NCC

Donna Janiec, LPC, NCC

Colorado
(719) 345-2424
Jessica Gutierrez-Gaytan, SWC

Jessica Gutierrez-Gaytan, SWC

Colorado
(719) 345-2424
Cheyenne Ainsworth, LSW

Cheyenne Ainsworth, LSW

Colorado Springs, Colorado
(719) 602-1342
Stephanie Kol, LPCC

Stephanie Kol, LPCC

Colorado Springs, Colorado
(719) 203-7021
Katie Quick, LPC

Katie Quick, LPC

Colorado
(720) 449-4121
Shannon Hamm, LPC

Shannon Hamm, LPC

Colorado Springs, Colorado
(719) 452-4374
Kalsey Hartley, MS, LPCC

Kalsey Hartley, MS, LPCC

Colorado Springs, Colorado
(719) 602-1342

Encourage Your Child to Use Their Gifts

While some highly sensitive children may find their sensitivities to be a source of anxiety or frustration, it's important to encourage them to see their gifts as just that: gifts.

Highly sensitive children often have an incredible capacity for empathy, creativity, and intuitive understanding.

Help your child to see their sensitivities as the special strengths that they are.

You can say things like, "I know the world can be overwhelming for you sometimes, but your ability to feel so deeply is what makes you such a special person." 

What to Do If My Child Cries Easily?

If your child cries easily, it's important to learn how to help them.

First, try to understand why they're crying. Are they feeling overwhelmed, scared, or sad? 

Once you know the reason for their tears, you can start to address the problem.

If they're crying because they're feeling overwhelmed, help them to take a break and relax. 

Maybe they need some time alone or maybe they need some calming music.

If they're crying because they're scared, try to comfort them and make them feel safe.

Maybe they need a hug or maybe they need you to stay with them. 

And if they're crying because they're sad, try to cheer them up.

Maybe they need a laugh or maybe they just need to know that you care.

Whatever the reason for their tears, there are things you can do to help.

Just be patient, be understanding, and be there for them. 

They'll be able to get through this with your love and support. 

This is an important step when learning how to help a highly sensitive child.

Create a Calm, Predictable, and Supportive Home Environment

It's a good idea to create a calm, predictable, and supportive home environment when you're raising a highly sensitive child.

That means having regular routines and plenty of time for unscheduled downtime. 

It also means providing clear expectations and consistent discipline.

You should do this because highly sensitive children often feel more secure when they know what to expect and when they have plenty of time to relax and process their feelings.

As much as possible, try to avoid making sudden changes or surprises that could upset your child. 

And make sure that your child feels safe and loved.

With a little extra care and understanding, you can help your highly sensitive child thrive. 

This is a good step to consider when learning how to help a highly sensitive child.

Help Your Child Develop Self-Awareness and Self-Regulation Skills

If you have a highly sensitive child, you may feel like you need to tiptoe around them constantly in order not to upset them.

This actually isn't helpful for your child in the long run. Instead, what they really need is for you to help them develop self-awareness and self-regulation skills.

Self-awareness is the ability to understand and label your own emotions. 

This is an important skill for highly sensitive children because it allows them to communicate their needs to others.

Self-regulation is the ability to manage your emotions healthily. 

This is important for all children, but it can be especially challenging for highly sensitive kids.

There are a few things you can do to help your child develop these skills.

  • Make sure that you are modeling self-awareness and self-regulation yourself. This will give your child a good role model to follow.
  • Provide your child with opportunities to practice self-awareness and self-regulation. For example, you could give them some time each day to journal about their emotions or help them practice mindfulness meditation.
  • Be patient with your child as they learn these new skills. Highly sensitive children often need more time than other kids to develop emotional regulation skills.


These ideas are a good way to continue learning how to help a highly sensitive child.

Encourage Your Child to Engage in Positive Social Interactions

Highly sensitive children often have a hard time in social situations.

They may be shy or withdrawn, and they may have trouble making friends.

As a parent, you can help your child to feel more comfortable in social situations by encouraging them to engage in positive social interactions.

This means spending time with them in social situations, such as going to the park or attending a playdate.

It also means teaching them how to interact with others in a positive way. 

You can do this by modeling positive social behaviors yourself, such as being friendly and polite.

By encouraging your child to engage in positive social interactions, you can help them to feel more comfortable in social situations and make friends more easily.

Provide Opportunities for Your Child to Explore Their Interests and Passions

If you have a highly sensitive child, it is important to provide opportunities for your child to explore their interests and passions. 

This will help them to develop a strong sense of self and purpose.

Highly sensitive children are often drawn to creative pursuits, so encourage your child to express themselves through art, music, or writing.

Provide opportunities for your child to interact with nature. 

Sensitive children often feel a deep connection with the natural world, so take them on hikes, camping trips, or visits to the beach.

By providing opportunities for your child to explore their interests, you can help them develop into a confident and well-rounded individual.

Seek Professional Help if Needed

Many people don't understand what it means to be highly sensitive.

They see it as a bad thing, something that needs to be fixed.

But the truth is, being highly sensitive is simply a different way of perceiving the world. 

And while it can be challenging at times, it's also a gift. If you're the parent of a highly sensitive child, you may feel like you're walking on eggshells sometimes.

You may worry that you're doing something wrong or that you're not meeting your child's needs. 

But you're not alone. 

There are lots of other parents out there who are in the same boat.

The good news is that there are ways to help your child navigate the world in a way that makes sense for them. 

One of the best things you can do is seek professional help if needed.

A therapist or counselor can help your child learn how to cope with their sensitivity and understand their place in the world. 

With the right supports in place, your child can thrive - even if the world feels like a bit too much sometimes.

Disclaimer

The content in this blog post should be used for informational purposes only. 

The content on this blog post should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed professional.

Conclusion

If you have a highly sensitive child, there are many things you can do to help them.

Encourage your child to engage in positive social interactions, provide opportunities for them to explore their interests and passions, and seek professional help if needed. 

By following these tips, you can help your child thrive despite their sensitivity.

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December 8th, 2023

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