Are You Worried About Your Child Being an Introvert?

Are you freaking out wondering how your child is going to make it in the world as an introvert?  If so, I highly recommend that your read Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.  I would like to share some of the following concepts which I learned from the book. First of all, the author, Susan Cain, points out that we live in a culture which values personality, rather than character.  It is the outgoing person, the entertainer, who gets the attention and is considered successful or potentially successful.

In the United States, we not only sell our ideas, we often promote or sell ourselves through our social behavior.  Children who are sensitive, reflective, and quiet are often overlooked.  They are expected to learn as their extraverted peers. With cooperative learning, students are grouped together to work on projects together.  Naturally, the extraverted, louder, more sociable students dominate the group, often bypassing the talents of the more reserved students in the group.  Introverted students dread these groups since they feel “run over” and overwhelmed by the more boisterous, popular students in their group.

This book makes several significant points.  Children who are introverted are often overlooked in school and by society in general.  Our culture recognizes outgoing, extraverted individuals who are self-promoting.  It provides a history of our swing from a culture of character to a culture of personality, as evidenced by the popularity of reality shows and celebrity worship in this country.

There have been very significant contributions to our society by introverts such as Bill Gates, Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, and J.K. Rowling, just to name a few.  Introverted individuals need time to reflect, rather than react in different situations.  Parents and educators need to realize that introverted children may need more time or a different venue to share their thoughts.  Introverts are often very creative and innovated, but express these qualities in different ways than extraverts.

Although we need to allow introverts to be themselves and value them for their unique talents, it doesn’t mean that they may not need some assistance in social situations.  Being social for an introvert is draining because it does not come naturally to them.  As parents and educators, we need to encourage children to be themselves, but guide them to socially acceptable behavior.  Being an introvert is not an excuse for not greeting others or not showing interest in others.  It is possible to be introverted but socially appropriate with the proper guidance. Introverts can share their creativity and innovations with the world more effectively is they know how to interact with others within their comfort zone.  This growth can be achieved by becoming aware of what behavior is appropriate and practicing this behavior on a regular basis.

So, everyone can’t be the mayor or the life of the party.  Accept your introverted children and encourage them to be who they are.  Who knows?  They may be our next national treasure.

Original content by Kathleen A. Matchunis,  B.A., M.S.,  Certified Professional Coach who works with children on “skills for success”. Tel:  954 294 9708  Website:  www.connectinginc.net Email:  kathy@connectinginc.net

By | 2016-06-17T09:26:17-05:00 February 23rd, 2015|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Are You Worried About Your Child Being an Introvert?