Highly sensitive children: what problems can they have at school?

Imagine the following: you are sitting in a train station and suddenly you see how a lady is crying. And you feel a brutal empathy. You try to contain yourself, but at that moment a very sad melody plays at the same time that you see a boy who is being told off by her father. Nothing special would happen to you, right? You would take your train and your mind would eliminate all those images and sounds.

If you are a highly sensitive child or adult, this is not so; everything you witness you live and feel multiplied by a thousand. They say that they are part of the category of the gifted, but there are no serious studies to corroborate it, so, for the moment, we will focus on what is beginning to be glimpsed. And it is that it has been seen that there is a statistical association between high levels of empathy with a greater potential for abuse by peers, which clearly gives cause for concern.

In what ways can a highly sensitive boy or girl struggle in school? We unravel the keys to understand these little ones a little more and the workings of their minds.

• Related article: "The 6 stages of childhood (physical and mental development)"

How are highly sensitive children?

Let's start with a summary of the psychological characteristics that are usually typical in highly sensitive children. Although they tend to appear shy, they are rather introverted. It is not difficult for them to relate to others, although the truth is that they like being alone more.

1. They like very creative activities

They often perform activities that are not typical of most children. Jumping rope or playing soccer interest them less than reading or painting, possibly because they find them more stimulating and offer them new experiences without interruption.

2. They get lightheaded easily

These little ones often feel stunned by noise in class or the bustle. This makes them more vulnerable to unforeseen events in the environment, especially if they occur close to where they are.

3. Their behaviors can be confused with hyperactivity

During childhood, it is possible to confuse their high sensitivity with hyperactivity because, on many occasions, they will lose attention when the classes are too long.

• You may be interested in: "Types of ADHD (characteristics, causes and symptoms)"

4. they like nature

On the other hand, highly sensitive children they are closely linked to nature and animals, which calm them down. Music can also be their escape route from the world, giving them moments in which to lose themselves in introspection and maintain contact with the outside only through what they hear.

5. They tend to introspective learning

Their vocabulary is often richer than that of other children, they are much more intense than their classmates in terms of their interests, and tend to get along better with adults than with children. This may be because they spend more time carrying out learning based on introspection, which which brings them closer, in some intellectual aspects, to the mentality and lifestyle of the adult.

6. they are very empathic

High levels of empathy are one of its most remarkable qualities; are very prone to feel a strong emotional connection to specific individuals, and established very quickly (without needing to know that person). If we take into account how empathy is in general in childhood, we can understand how hard it it may be for them to be with other children, who may see in these behaviors a sign of weakness.

7. They are hyper-aware

Often these children suffer because their parents argue, because of a friend whose grandmother is sick, or because of environmental disasters. Their life experiences affect them more than other children, especially if they are negative, and leave painful memories.

The school environment, a battlefield for highly sensitive children

After reading all of the above, you will be able to understand what a child suffers during the student stage. They are often the object of abuse by their peers and they feel it much more than other children.

That's why it is imperative that adults work in conjunction with a school counselor or psychologist. It's not that highly sensitive children have problems; the question is knowing that channeling those wonderful skills can make them more successful adults, but for this we must give them the opportunity to develop in situations that do not harm them psychologically.

Having psychologists who help in the education and upbringing of highly sensitive children allows these little ones to develop their potential and know how to better manage their emotions, as well as adopt suitable lifestyle habits for their needs.

Are you looking for professional support for your child?

If you live in the Madrid area and are interested in having the help of psychologists specialized in child therapy, you will find the Psicoadapta psychological assistance center in the center of the city. Our team of experts has a professional career of many years serving children, adults and families of all kinds. Our contact details are available here.