Some kids are born more sensitive, vulnerable, fussy, and inflexible. These kids from the start have a delicate nervous system. They are more thin-skinned and reactive to the environment around them. Not surprisingly, adversity in the formative years such as: a troubled family life, poverty, neglect, harsh discipline – and/or parenting that is insensitive, unattuned or authoritarian – leads to mental health issues, behavioral problems, and other poor outcomes in general but can have a greater impact on sensitive kids.
But There’s Good News About Sensitive Children From Psychological Research:
- Sensitive children can be more creative, empathic and intuitive.
- Sensitive children are not only more susceptible to negative influences around them, but are also more responsive to positive influences – benefiting easily and to a remarkable degree – from support and responsive parenting.
- With some extra help and a little care these kids soar outperforming their more resilient but less sensitive peers – both emotionally and socially.
- Whether they thrive or flounder depends on the climate they are in growing up.
What Is the Disadvantage for Children Who Are Not Particularly Sensitive?
More naturally resilient, less sensitive kids seem to roll with adversity and not be affected much by the atmosphere around them. But, compared to sensitive children they have a disadvantage which is that they are also less responsive generally. For example, they are less sensitive to the positive effects of an enriched environments and don’t benefit as much as sensitive children.
References:
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- Belsky, J. (2015, Sept/October). The upside of vulnerability. Scientific American Mind, 26(5).
- PBS KIDS for Parents. (2021). How to support your highly sensitive child. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-support-your-highly-sensitive-child
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