How to Care for Introverts

Dear parents,

Introverted people are often misunderstood (especially by extroverts!).

If you took the personality test we recommended you take (HERE), and discovered that your child is an introvert, you may be wondering:

• if this is a good or bad thing.
• how to connect with an introverted child.
• how to support and facilitate an introvert’s learning experience.

Well, first and foremost, I must stress that being introverted is NOT a BAD thing. It is merely a personality trait. Introverts are just as capable of being socially adjusted and happy in life as extroverts.

Here are some tips and idea on how to care for introverts:

• Respect their need for privacy.
• Never embarrass them in public.
• Let them observe first in new situations.
• Give them time to think. Don’t demand instant answers.
• Don’t interrupt them.
• Give them advance notice of expected changes in their lives.
• Give them 15 minute warnings to finish whatever they are doing before calling them to dinner or moving on to the next activity.
• Reprimand them privately.
• Teach them new skills privately rather than in public.
• Enable them to find one best friend who has similar interests and abilities. Encourage this friendship even if the friend moves.
• Don’t push them to make lots of friends.
• Respect their introversion. Don’t try to make them into extroverts.

If you have any questions or thoughts on this subject, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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