The Introvert Child

Answer 1

People can be classified into two groups: those who are introverted and those who are extroverted. Although some children have the tendency to be temporarily shy or only shy in certain situations, this distinction applies to children as well as adults. Introversion is not the exact same thing as social anxiety or shyness, it is an unchangeable personality trait. It is possible for someone who is fundamentally introverted to be a well-adjusted individual. If you are extroverted, however, it is easy to see your child's introversion as a negative thing.

Don't Guilt-Trip Your Child For Not Being Social

People have different standards for how much social interaction is optimum for them. If you have mulitple children, you might notice one of your children not socializing as much as his or her siblings, or you may just think that your child spends too much time alone. Even if you are concerned, it is important not to make your child feel guilty or like there is something wrong with them for not spending as much time with friends or for not having as many friends as you would like them to. Introverts tend to have fewer friends, but they may feel like the friends they do have are very close to them.

Understand Your Child's Need For Alone Time

A child who is introverted may spend a lot of time reading, on the computer or doing other hobbies alone rather than spending a lot of time with others. They may also tend to get overwhelmed when they have to spend time in a group setting or put themselves out there socially. Introverts just need to spend more time alone than extroverts do. For introverts, alone time is a good time to think about things or embark on creative projects.

Encourage Your Child

You can encourage your introverted child to get involved in creative activities and nourish their interests. Introverts may not be extremely social and able to easily talk to everybody, but they are more likely to find friends who share common interests with them and establish deep friendships. You can encourage them to be in social situations, but it is not simply a matter of forcing your child to spend more time with others. They have to make the choice on their own.