| > | | | | Pets and training pets |
| Parents can be fooled into thinking there’s | | | | Playing a musical instrument |
| something wrong with their child for being | | | | Penpals (especially if they’re learning a |
| introverted, especially if they, themselves, are | | | | foreign language) |
| extroverts. Also many teachers, administrators | | | | Working on props for school plays or other |
| and other relatives who are extroverts may not | | | | activities strictly behind the scenes |
| understand introverted children. | | | | Internet projects |
| You see, introverts make up a small 30% of the | | | | Internet games of educational value |
| population and yet their self image is defined by | | | | Sports which do not require a team or |
| extroverts who think there is something wrong | | | | partner, such as long distance running, swimming |
| with them because they don’t’ | | | | or rollerblading |
| like people or because they are shy or | | | | Decorating their room |
| withdrawn. | | | | Listening to music |
| Let’s come of age! Introversion is a | | | | Independent travel |
| legitimate personality type. You can find out more | | | | Practice designing fashions or developing |
| by visiting a Myers-Briggs website like this one: | | | | interests in art, architecture or history (I knew |
| There’s nothing wrong with your child if he | | | | one teenage girl who loved to do grave rubbings |
| or she is introverted. Introverts give energy to | | | | and traveled to Europe to do this one summer) |
| others, so your child avoids extended social | | | | Maintaining the family photo album |
| interaction not because s/he is anti-social but | | | | Reading |
| because s/he is exhausted by it. All those peppy | | | | Volunteer work such as working with animals |
| looking extroverts who look so happy in the | | | | or reading to the deaf |
| group are actually taking energy from introverts | | | | Supporting a child from a foreign country with |
| like your kid when they interact! | | | | donations, letters, photos, etc. |
| The more you understand about introversion as a | | | | In my interviews with introverted adults, the two |
| legitimate personality type the more you can help | | | | most common complaints I hear about the way |
| your child develop a positive self image. You may | | | | they were raised was that they were (1) asked |
| also want to help your child discover how to | | | | to go out and play with the other kids and |
| win in a world set up by others with | | | | (2) told they read too much. Some parents even |
| very different tastes and values. | | | | took books away or make fun of them for |
| Introverted children get no inherent value or | | | | reading. |
| personal reward for taking part in past times that | | | | The best way to make your introverted child a |
| are pushed on most kids. Joining the Pep Squad, | | | | winner is to make him or her a winner in your |
| taking ball room dancing lessons, joining the | | | | own eyes. Learn to identify and value the |
| German Club and taking field trips to the aquarium | | | | introverted qualities of concentration, focus, self |
| are not likely to do anything for your introverted | | | | discipline, depth, integrity and self knowledge. It is |
| child except stress them out and make them feel | | | | without doubt and we know this metaphysically, |
| like losers because they don’t seem to be | | | | that there are no accidents in this world. Your |
| enjoying themselves when everyone else is! | | | | introverted child has come into your life for a |
| It’s so important to validate your | | | | reason! |
| child’s feelings about these activities and | | | | Quit waiting for them to turn into social |
| help them understand that it’s normal for | | | | butterflies. Just imagine what the world would |
| introverts to more or less dread them! | | | | have missed if Steven Spielberg had gone outside |
| The son of one of my clients is a bright, nice | | | | to play with the other children. |
| looking, musically talented introvert. He is 14 years | | | | And be of good cheer. The higher up you go in |
| old and his extremely extroverted mother | | | | education and intelligence, the greater the |
| worries because he doesn’t have any | | | | percentage of introverts. Through history, |
| friends. She thinks he isn’t | | | | introverts have made contributions to the world |
| popular. She has pushed him into going to | | | | far in excess of their numbers. While comprising |
| church dances. When he gets there, he cries. She | | | | only 30% of the population, they have furthered |
| has taken him to psychologists to find out | | | | humanity in many fields. Charles Darwin, Albert |
| what’s wrong and she has gotten | | | | Einstein, Albert Schweitzer and Mother Theresa |
| him drugged with prescriptions. | | | | have all been identified as introverts by the |
| This is not productive! Instead of forcing a child to | | | | Keirsey Temperament Inventory. Visit Keirsey on |
| do something that goes so much against his | | | | the web and learn more at President George |
| nature he has to be drugged to do it, how much | | | | Bush Sr., Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, the |
| more healthy and supportive it would be to | | | | world’s greatest investor, are introverts |
| provide your child with the right to be just exactly | | | | who have recently made great contributions. |
| who they are! | | | | Learning about introverts and supporting your |
| Here then are some activities, hobbies and | | | | introverted child during the school years in being |
| pursuits at which introverted children excel and | | | | consciously introverted will bring happiness into |
| which they will enjoy. These activities are natural | | | | your home and build a positive sense of self in |
| to introverts and are all at least as worthwhile as | | | | your child. Above all, please let your introverted |
| the Pep Club, maybe more so! | | | | child have his or her own room and let them close |
| Collecting (stamps, butterflies, coins
) | | | | the door whenever they want. Being alone is their |
| Writing (journals, poetry, letters) | | | | way of restoring balance and it is quite necessary |
| Photography | | | | for good mental and physical health. |