When we use the word “sensitivity”, it means a greater depth of processing information from the environment, being prone or over stimulation, Greater emotional reactivity and higher empathy, lastly, a greater capacity to sense the environment around.

In children, high sensitivity can be present by displaying intense emotions, being thoughtful and thinking or worrying deeply, becoming quickly overwhelmed in busy or loud environment, not liked to be watched while performing a task, finding it hard to fall asleep and wind down after a busy day, being tuned into others emotions and displaying a high level of empathy for their age, appearing cautious or slow to warm up in new situations, and being strongly affected by both small and big changes.

I have often observed from my experience that highly sensitive children are more affected by the parent-child relationship.

As a Behavioural support guide, I would recommend parents to teach 5 steps of Gottman’s Emotional coaching. Emotional guidance and support to parents can provide a great help to their highly sensitivity kids. This will eventually help them to support their optimal emotional development and meet their emotional needs.

We always want our children to navigate the world of emotions and the tricky situation that trigger those emotions, you also want to show up for them in a way that gives them confidence that they can turn to you when they need you.