Why is my child overly sensitive

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Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Discipline is an important element in raising healthy children. Yet, for parents of sensitive children, it's not uncommon to struggle with properly disciplining them—especially because they feel things more acutely than other children. The first step is recognizing that there's nothing wrong with being sensitive. In fact, a sensitive child can be one of the kindest, most compassionate kids you'll ever meet.

But raising a sensitive child can pose some parenting challenges, especially when it comes to discipline. Emotionally sensitive kids become overwhelmed easily. They cry often, worry about getting into trouble frequently, and require a great deal of reassurance. They also feel every emotion intensely. That means they're likely to become overexcited, extra angry, and super scared.

Loud noises, bright lights, or certain textures can send them into a tailspin. They might fear large crowds and struggle to deal with any type of change. Consequently, sensitive kids are hesitant to try new things and they struggle to deal with frustration. While strict discipline may help some kids adjust their behavior, harsh punishments are likely to cause more problems with sensitive kids.

As a result, it's important to find ways to nurture and guide sensitive kids who may struggle to thrive in a less than sensitive world. The following discipline strategies will help you provide the discipline your sensitive child needs. Be sure to point out the inconsistencies between how they perceived things then and how they really turned out to be. Often times, oversensitive children perceive events in an overly personal and intentional manner that hindsight can reveal as distorted and flawed interpretations.

Offer alternate interpretations to take the place of the personalized ones arrived at by your child. During discussions about past and present events see if your child can come up with more general explanations for why things happened as they did. For example, emphasize how easy it is for friends to forget to call back because of things going on at home and it's necessarily due to their wish to make your child feel bad. Medically reviewed by Harry Croft, MD.

All Rights Reserved. Site last updated October 26, She shrieked when I tried to brush the knots out of her hair, had a meltdown whenever I told her no, and burst into tears when her little sister teased her. I used to think Stella was a drama queen.

But then I talked to an expert and learned that she wasn't acting. Stella has what many experts call emotional sensitivity. Children are born emotionally sensitive, but their behavior may not seem out of the ordinary until age 5 or 6 when their peers cut back on tantrums and meltdowns. Although kids won't outgrow these feelings, they can learn to control their reactions -- in essence, toughen up.

That's what happened with Stella. Follow these steps to help your child manage her emotions. When your child bawls after an elbow scrape that didn't even break the skin, your first instinct may be to tell her to calm down or to get over it.

Experts say that just makes matters worse, especially if she hears anger or frustration in your voice. Get a bandage or just rest it? Sensitive children tend to burst into tears any time they experience a strong emotion, whether it's embarrassment or frustration.

For instance, if you tell your son that his friend can't stay for dinner, he may suddenly become weepy. They may be hurt by something you did or said and will simply hold on it than expressing it to you. Sensitive kids have a keen sense of observation and know people well.

They observe character traits and gather an accurate story of who the person is. Kids who are sensitive develop a special bond with animals wherein they trust them completely. Kids generally ask a lot of questions. At times the questions can be irritating and may be personal. But in general the questions may leave you with a sense of positive thought. Sensitive kids generally make decisions after putting in a lot of going through a lot of emotions.

They do things for a reason and if they fail, they are often left in self-doubt. Once they have taken a decision, they usually stand by it even if they are alone and can be disheartened at times to see how insensitive others can be. Sensitive kids not only try and study their environment but also continually evaluate themselves and keep their emotions in check.

As you probably know already, parenting a highly sensitive child demands care and attention. Follow these tips to handle him tactfully:. Unconditional love and support from parents and other adults helps a child to build confidence.

It gives them courage to share their fears with you. You have to teach him to stand up for himself, and at the same time protect and encourage him in every possible way. Take a chance to discuss the various things your child faces at school. Talk to them regarding their teachers, peers and their academics. If they are being bullied, teach them how to handle the situation.

It is often suggested that they go to an adult for help in such circumstances. Try not to misguide by telling him to avoid or run away from bullying. Highly sensitive children find it difficult to be part of groups.

Children who are active in sports are physically fit and also have more confidence than the other kids. As a sensitive child may avoid team sports, it is important you train them to be fit individually. Physical exercise helps them become healthier, stronger and confident.