Kids who do these 12 things have ‘highly sensitive’ brains—why parenting experts say it’s an ‘advantage’

 

 I have read elsewhere that 15-20 percent of other animals also have this trait. It is useful for a species to have some individuals like this.

 https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/04/parenting-experts-signs-your-kid-has-a-highly-sensitive-brain-why-neuroscientists-says-its-an-advantage.html

Jenn Granneman@JennGranneman
Andre Sólo

 

Without meaning to, parents can have a way of making children feel as if something is wrong with them.

As parenting researchers, we’ve seen this happen often with highly sensitive kids. Many parents see sensitivity as a bad trait — that it makes us look overwhelmed, passive, or even weak — and discourage it with phrases like “Stop crying!” or “Shake it off!”

But psychologists and neuroscientists have found that, in the right environment, kids with highly sensitive brains have rare advantages.

Not only do highly sensitive kids show more creativity, awareness and openness than less-sensitive kids, but they possess an underappreciated trait: empathy.

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According to psychologist Elaine Aron, who popularized the term “highly sensitive person,” roughly one in five children are highly sensitive.

Here are the most common signs:

    They notice subtle details, such as a teacher’s new outfit or when furniture has been moved.
    Other people’s moods really affects them. They easily absorb emotions from others, taking on their feelings as if they were their own.
    They have a hard time shaking intense emotions like anger or worry.
    They complain when things feel off (e.g., scratchy bedsheets, itchy clothing labels, tight waistbands).
    They feel stressed and fatigued in loud, busy environments, like gyms or perfume counters because of the strong odors.
    They hate feeling rushed and prefer to do things more carefully.
    They respond better to gentle correction rather than to harsh discipline.
    They make insightful comments and seem wise for their age.
    They have a clever sense of humor.
    They read people well and can infer, with surprising accuracy, what they are thinking or feeling.
    They refuse to eat certain foods because of the smells or textures.
    They startle easily at sudden noises, like when someone sneaks up on them.

If any of these observations resonate, remember that it’s a positive thing. Highly sensitive kids have an entirely different approach to their environment, and that is a strength.

 

How parents can help sensitive kids thrive

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