How to Properly Treat an Introvert Child
The wrong treatments would cause mentality problem!
Actually a person can have both personalities, introvert and extrovert at the same time, but usually will tend to lead to just one of them. Identify how they react to a specific situation or environment, or see if they look not so comfortable to talk to their friend or they just avoiding meet someone you introduce with.
Introversion is not categorized as mentality problem or mental illness. It’s a type of personality. However, a proper act toward them still must be taken. So that it does not develop the introvertness into a mentality and social problem.
The first thing you can do to avoid mistreatments is really understand what an introvert is. This way, you know the possibilities that can occur to our introverted child and predict the challenges that will arise in the future.
There are several things any parents should do/think to deal with a child with an introversion personality.
1. You must think that introverted kids don’t mean quiet kids
Many people often missinterprete introverted children as quiet, shy or aloof. In fact, being quiet and being introverted are two different conditions.
These children is in the phase of developing mental and spiritual. Remember that by the misinterpretation, introverted children who are often nicknamed by those remarks would gradually and unconsciously admit that they are shy and weird. So, parents should take note of this to not judge them as shy kids or even dumb as my mom did to me!
My mom always told people that I'm odd quiet kid in any accasion even to stranger without knowing I felt confused and sad by the remarks. Yes, never say that your kid is shy in front of other people. That will actually make them feel cornered and don’t even want to meet other people.
Introverts can talk a lot or appear happy if they feel comfortable with the atmosphere/other people around them. They will only choose to remain silent around people who are not familiar or in a new environment.
2. Understand how the introverts express their emotions
For example, when your little boy chooses to lock himself all day long in their room and refuses to convey their feelings, you may suspect that this is a sign of depression, but don’t jump to this conclusion too quickly.
It’s not necessarily that he has a big problem outside, it could be that he just needs time alone to digest, for example a new event that have happened at their school.
Don’t judge them arrogant or numb or snarl them if they keep quiet. Don’t think that introverted children who tend to be emotionless or rarely show emotions mean that they are always fine. They also have levels of emotions, but they have their own way processing any of their feelings.
3. Give them a room for their self-times needs
Meeting or playing with other people can be so refreshing for some of us. However, this is not the case with the introverts. When they are feeling stressed or busy, they will need some alone time. Introverts need time to process their daily activities which oftentimes so tiring for them, and to be back to a comfortable state, they will usually need to be alone.
Accompany her/him when they need some times to realeases their fatigue. You can let them do whatever they want, like drawing, arrange a puzzles or whatever they like.
4. Make them comfortable to speak up their true feelings
Introverts don’t like small talk (especially with strangers). However, this doesn’t mean they are shy. That is s fact these children only want to discuss important things, and build relationships with someone they know. Introverts need to develop a relationship with someone before they can finally talk comfortably with that person.
Understand that introverted children’s feelings may not be clear. To help him, you can build communication by giving your child tasks to practice picking an expression for various condition.
5. Understand if the child does not have many friends
You may find your little one has only one or two close friends. You should not worry about this. This is one of the characteristics of introverted children. They’re picky, only want to be friended with people they’re comfortable with.
Don’t make fun on their lack of association or compare with other children with the intention of shaming them in a hope that they will be trying to have lots of friends too.
The reason to this behaviour is, they are more comfortable with a small circle of friends, not in a group full of people, they may think it's tiring to manage the relationship with too much people. A small number of friends does not necessarily indicate your child is having problems socializing.
If they show interest to make connection or play with other kid, be a bridge between your child’s friend and your child. It will make your child feel more comfortable so they can build a relationship with other people.
Help the child to get to know a good friend who is suitable for them. Thus, they will not close themselves and want to open up to others.
6. Introverts enjoy imaginative activities, fasilitate them
Introverts enjoy activities that allow their minds to wander. Most introverted kids like imaginative activities such as reading fictions, writing, sketching, fishing, painting, cycling, gardening, roller skating, hiking, etc. It makes their minds free.
Let their imaginations grow. Provide them with the apppropiate tools. Who knows their talent will develop and one day become successful person as the results their great imaginations.
7. Don’t force your child to change
Introverted children are sometimes seen as problematic children. Though they just has a different character.
If your little one prefers to be alone in his room or talking to his own toys, let him do that because that’s what makes him comfortable
You should not force your introverted child to socialize, especially if they are in a new environment, because there is still social awkwardness. Let them observe for a moment before joining their new friends.
Don’t take them to a very crowded place or introduce them to a lot of people. The more people they meet, the harder it will be for them to process interactions and enjoy time with everyone.
4. Engage in activities that don’t involve a lot of people
You need to be careful when choosing extra activities for an introverted child. Forcing him to participate in various group activities can be a double-edged sword. It can be so overwhelming for them.
For example, if you include your boy to a baseball club. Crowded conditions and the screaming of other children can make it difficult for him to concentrate that would result a poor performance. This risks him to feel hopeless and failed and lose his confidence.
Activities that are more suitable for introverted children are those that do not require interaction with too many people, such as painting or crafting. As for sports, choose individual sports such as running or swimming.
Final thoughts
Some kids may be considered odd by their environment caused they look shy or no have friends. We are the adult shouldn’t easily give any judgements to these kids who appear cold or keep avoiding other people. It must be they are the introvert kids who’re more comfortable alone.
Some parents may also feel bothered to have passive children. They compare them with other attractive and expressive kids to only make these kids feel shame and depressed. Don't break our kids' bright future only to make them act as we expect. Let them grow as they are based on their natural personality.
Some introvert kids, with or without outside assistance may even find strength through their introvertness as has been experienced by Sharmarke Hujale one of fellow Be Open writer. Here's his inspiring personal story:
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