How To Raise An Introverted Child

Do you often notice that your introverted child seems to have a hard time with some social activities? The best way to help them is to provide gentle encouragements. Your child might be naturally shy but acquiring some social skills at a young age will help them as they get older.

Our posts may contain affiliate links, but all opinions are our own. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

how to raise an introverted child

Follow these tips to help your introverted child:

1. Recognize the different types of introverted children.

There are different categories their personality can fall into.

– A lot of people assume that all introverted children are simply shy. This isn’t true of all children who have an introverted personality. Some children actually tend to stay away from social situations due to bad experiences that have had in the past or even because of abuse. Some children simply enjoy being alone.

– Understanding an introvert child can be difficult since they tend to avoid expressing their feelings and thoughts. This can make understanding why a child won’t take part in a social activity more difficult.

– Introverted children often feel differently about social activities compared to extroverts.

2. Getting angry and frustrated won’t lead anywhere.

You might have the impression that your child is really missing out on some important experiences and should be having fun. You might also have some concerns regarding the social development of your child. However, getting angry and frustrated will not help.

– An introvert child needs to feel that you are caring and gentle. Yelling, arguing and forcing your child to do something they are not comfortable with will only cause stress. Your child could sense your anger and frustration and get scared.

– Your child might even completely shut down and stop listening to you if they perceive that you are angry.

– Conflicts are difficult for introverts. Being aggressive or pushy is not the right answer. You need to remain calm, make suggestions and explain what your concerns are in order to efficiently communicate with your child.

3. Listen actively and Make Recommendations.

Your child might have some very valid reasons to avoid a specific type of activity. You need to listen to what they have to say and make some helpful suggestions that make sense.

– Take the instance of a large gathering where over 50 children will be present. Your child might not feel comfortable about going, but you could suggest attending another smaller gathering where your child will already know most of the people present to take some of the stress out of this type of situation.

4. Accept your child and their introversion!

Getting angry and pushing your child is not going to change them. You need to accept their personality and find ways to help your child without putting them in situations they wouldn’t be able to handle. Look for social activities they feel comfortable with so they can develop these important skills.

– Do not force your child to attend an event they do not want to go to. Look for alternative activities they will be able to enjoy instead.

5. Make Technology Your Ally.

Introverted children often feel more comfortable with communicating via technology. You should of course monitor their activities and make sure they remain safe.

– Your child will probably enjoy learning new things and discovering new activities thanks to their computer or Smartphone.

– Use technology to communicate with your child since they will be more likely to open up about their thoughts and feelings in a text message.

Introverted children tend to avoid other people and usually do not feel comfortable in social settings. However, there are ways to help them open up and acquire important social skills without being too pushy.

Similar Posts

One Comment

  1. My favorite part of this article is accepting your introverted child the way they are. As a psychoanalyst and fan of the book, Quiet, I am very aware of how our society idealizes extroverts. Introverts are often highly creative, innovative, idea-making people who concentrate fully about what interests them. They need our praise and recognition so they aren’t forgotten. Perhaps my recent book, Unlocking Parental Intelligence: Finding Meaning in Your Child’s Behavior, will help readers on this point with some of the stories that are in the book.
    Laurie Hollman, Ph.D.
    http://lauriehollmanphd.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *