Sensitive Superstars: Empowering Highly Sensitive Children To Excel At School

Highly sensitive children have heightened sensitivity to emotions, sensory input, and environmental factors. As a normal temperament variation, 15-20% of the population has this trait. Children who are highly sensitive feel emotions intensely. They are more empathetic and sensitive to environmental changes, showing heightened emotional awareness and sensitivity.

Highly sensitive children may encounter various challenges in educational settings due to their heightened sensitivity to stimuli, emotions, and social interactions. Parents and teachers can provide the support and guidance that a child requires to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Together, we can help these children thrive and reach their full potential by recognising and appreciating their unique traits.

Here are some challenges they might face and ways parents and teachers can help them do well in school and life:

Overstimulation

Sensory stimuli in the classroom may overwhelm sensitive children. A quiet space for breaks, noise-cancelling headphones, or sensory-friendly materials and seating can help. In addition to this, teachers and educators need to be aware of the signs of overstimulation in sensitive children. These signs may include increased anxiety, restlessness, irritability, or difficulty focusing. By recognising these signs, teachers can intervene and provide support to help the child regulate their sensory input. 

Social Anxiety

Highly sensitive children might struggle with social anxiety or self-consciousness. Create a welcoming environment in the classroom, organise small-group activities, and promote empathy and understanding among the students to promote positive social interactions.

Emotional Regulation

Children with high sensitivity experience strong emotions. The term "emotional regulation" refers to the process by which a person's emotions are expressed. Teach them ways to control their emotions, like deep breathing or practising mindfulness, so they can deal with their feelings and talk about them in a healthy way. 

Perfectionism

Highly sensitive children might be overly anxious and stressed out because they want to do everything perfectly. Encourage a growth mindset and put more emphasis on effort and progress than results alone. Give helpful feedback and help people find a good balance between high standards and accepting themselves.

Transition Problems

It's crucial to tailor support plans to a highly sensitive child's unique needs. Changes in routines or transitions between activities can be challenging for highly sensitive children. Create a predictable and structured environment with clear expectations, visual schedules, and advance notice of any changes to minimise anxiety and facilitate smooth transitions.

Individualised Instruction

Recognise and meet the special needs of children who are very sensitive when it comes to learning. It's also important to give instructions that are clear and easy to understand. When instructions aren't clear or are too hard to understand, sensitive learners may feel overwhelmed or anxious. By breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and giving visual aids or examples, these learners can better understand and engage with the learning material. It's also crucial to create a learning environment where sensitive students feel safe asking questions, getting help, and expressing their thoughts and feelings without fear of being judged. 

Open Communication

Make sure that parents, teachers, and the child can talk to each other and work together to help the child. Establishing a cooperative and supportive relationship between parents, teachers, and the child is essential. Create an open, non-judgmental environment where everyone can share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. By working together, parents and teachers can gain valuable insights into the child's strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to develop personalised strategies for overcoming challenges and maximising potential. Regular check-ins with the child help you understand their feelings and experiences, building trust and empowerment. 

Encourage Self-Care

One good way to show highly sensitive children how important it is to take care of themselves is to do it yourself. Show your child that self-care is important by taking care of yourself. Take time to rest and re-energize, do things that make you happy, and set healthy boundaries for yourself. By helping your child take care of themselves, you can teach them healthy habits that will serve them for the rest of their lives.