If you’re a professional coach, mentor, educator, therapist or leader working with children, you will have noticed there are certain children who struggle more with overwhelm, anxiety and also appear to be more intuitive, empathetic and sensitive to the world around them. These children are likely to be Highly Sensitive, in fact, research shows up to 1 in 5 children are HS.
It can be challenging to know how best to support these children, and there is a need to approach their social-emotional well-being in a slightly different way. These children often feel misunderstood, which unfortunately can lead to further setbacks with their self-esteem and confidence.
As a Highly Sensitive Person, I also remember the struggles I experienced as a child; I felt misunderstood by others, cried easily and found it difficult to express my voice. I also had difficulties paying attention at school because I was so busy processing my internal and external world!
Before becoming a transpersonal coach and trainer, I spent 14 years working in education as a teacher - with an emphasis on supporting the social-emotional well-being of children. I learned just how important it is to recognise the unique qualities of HSC and support them with their emotional development, identity, self-esteem and connection to a deeper purpose.
As a coach, trainer and educator, I have developed an integrative framework and program encompassing the key skills and domains we need to empower HSC. The framework is based on empowering HSC with skills and resources to navigate their unique struggles and cultivate their strengths.
It’s my experience that, as professionals, when we are equipped with the right skills, we can really empower hsc to navigate their challenges and step into their gifts so they can thrive. Research shows us that HSC respond better to positive intervention than other children. So, although they might struggle more when they are in challenging environments, with the right support, they can go on to thrive!
Being able to support HSC through these practices can help them achieve better academic outcomes, better relationships with their peers, improved emotional health and well-being, and more likely to thrive later in life. It is also crucial that we educate ourselves so that we can become advocates for these children and share this awareness with others.
When we lack awareness of Highly Sensitivity in Children, we are leaving these children behind. - we are less likely to know how to support and empower these children in the way they need. Whether it’s in education, tutoring, or coaching/mentoring context - it’s crucial that we understand the unique way these children perceive and process the world.