They include the following dichotomies: thinking vs feeling, perceiving vs judging, extroversion vs introversion, and sensing vs intuitive. Children who are extroverted (for instance, ENFP personality types, who are open-minded and enthusiastic) may jump onto the bus with a big smile, excited about making new friends. People with intuitive personalities, who prefer perceiving and thinking to immediately doing, on the other hand, may take a little longer before feeling comfortable in a new setting. It is vital for parents to accept that children adapt at different paces.
Often, after a few days, even the most introverted of children find others they connect with and make meaningful, joyful connections that make school attendance fun.
When Children Have Separation Anxiety
If your child has separation anxiety or strong fears of social situations, therapy might be able to help parents who wish to attend. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that an entirely parent-based treatment is as effective as cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of childhood anxiety. The results show the parents of anxious children often become embroiled in their child’s symptoms through a habit known as ‘family accommodation’. For instance, parents of a child with social anxiety may accommodate the child’s wishes by not having people over. CBT can help parents change specific behaviours that may contribute to the problem, so that small but consistent changes can be made that will benefit the child and parents alike.
If your child is a little worried about starting school, then he or she certainly isn’t alone.
Many children who are introverted can fear having to make more friends or adapting to new environments. Role-playing, taking a child to school beforehand, and (if necessary) family therapy can help reduce stress and tension. Remember that each child is unique, and that all it takes is time and experimentation with different strategies to find the one that works.
Kylee Harris is an educator who has taught in elementary schools in Singapore and Hong Kong for 5 years. She lives in Florida and continues to teach life skills to young adults in her community.
