The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When The World Overwhelms Them Paperback – October 8, 2002

I found this book, along the the author’s book The Highly Sensitive Person, to be life-changing. By far the most important self-help books I’ve ever come across. These books explain why my children and I (and others in my life) struggle with certain things, enjoy certain things, and require certain things. Once I understood these concepts, embraced what that meant in my life and the lives of my kids, and began to apply the author’s suggestions, I felt like a new person - not flawed or inadequate, but whole, unique, and free to be exactly the person I was meant to be. Like a friend said, I now understand myself much better and realize why I am the way I am, without looking for excuses.I found this series of books at a time when my toddler son was struggling at school and seemed overwhelmed by life. (Through tears) I did an Internet search for “can a child be too sensitive” and found these books. Wow.I regularly pick up these books when I’m having a tough day, open to a random page, and am reminded of what being a highly sensitive person means. I share copies with anyone in my life - friends, other parents, medical and educational professionals - who I think can benefit from them. I recommend this book to anyone with a child who seems to have a more sensitive disposition than other kids. I really cannot say enough good things about it.

As an HSP myself, reading "The Highly Sensitive Child" offered invigorating insight into the mind and heart of my oldest daughter, who is also highly sensitive. For many years, she and I have butted heads over nearly everything, and after reading this book, I was both humbled and empowered to reach her in a new way.Dr. Elaine Aron's practical tips in each chapter, particularly breaking down the developmental age groups, were refreshing, clear, and easy to implement. My husband and I have been discussing, at length, how we can foster our daughter's gifts in a more meaningful way and reframe her sensitivity as neutral, rather than the perceived "bad" that the world defines it as.My favorite aspect of the book included recognizing how highly sensitive children require lots of rest, breaks, and sleep; that they thrive within a routine and usually need help transitioning with life changes; how to help them cope with verbal or social aggression at school; and ways to facilitate conversation with older children or role play with younger ones. Our daughter was bullied in preschool, and my husband and I approached her teacher, to no avail. Had I read this book beforehand, I would have been able to offer concrete solutions on how to understand and help HSCs with the "teacher tips" at the end of the book.Having read "The Highly Sensitive Person" before "The Highly Sensitive Child," I would "highly" recommend both books, especially if a parent suspects that his/her child may be highly sensitive, as well. Both together offer a full picture into understanding oneself and children who may have been labeled "shy" (which is situational), but who are actually just sensitive.A great read for parents and teachers alike.

My kid is extremely sensitive and our psychologist recommended this book. It has helped us understand how he feels and how to manage certain emotions and situations. Highly recommended!

I have a daughter that fits the profile of HSC (i knew that before buying the book), but the book helped me verify that, as well as finding ways of handling her intense sensitivity.To be honest I don't like "labels" on humans, but I think that the issue of sensitivity is an important aspect of humans. It is NOT a one-off discrimination (you are sensitive or not), but it is a matter of how much sensitive you are. In most cases (majority of people/children) this could be addressed through -good- parenting, but there are cases of extreme sensitivity where you should take extra precautions to avoid problems for you and your child.This book is one of the best I have found on the subject and could help you a lot in understanding and treating various situations. It is also good reading in general.Highly recommended for the subject.Extra reminder for the anxious parent: Accept sensitivity but DO NOT let it change/alter YOUR role as parents. (trust me it is quite difficult...). Your child is not different, it is -just- more sensitive...:)))

Good read

I read this book a few years ago, and it still helps me. I find myself recommending it to friends on a regular basis.I was seeing a counsellor who suggested I go through the parenting section of a book store and find a good book to "reparent" myself. I found this one. The title really resonated with me. I'm so glad I bought it. It was the perfect book for my purpose, both because my parents weren't the greatest, and because I am highly sensitive. Soon after reading this book, I bought the adult version. I have to say, I found the adult book less helpful!I have also referred back to this book many times as a teacher, nanny, and now as a mom. It's paid for itself three times over. I highly recommend it to anyone who thinks they, their child, or any child in their care, or anyone in their life might be highly sensitive. The book provides the perfect amount of background and science to understand the sensitivity traits, and it also provides detailed, practical recommendations for helping sensitive people deal with common frustrations and problems.