Reactors

Characteristics of children who are “Low Reactors,” or less demanding: 

• Typically quiet and rarely fussy as babies
• May sleep more than other children
• Often show their emotions with only slight changes in facial expression, tone of voice, or body posture
• Able to tolerate a lot of stimulation
• May appear easier to care for, but may actually require more effort to attract and hold their attention

Practical Strategies to support “Low Reactors,” or less demanding children:

• Tune things up! Be deliberate in your attempts to attract their attention.  Watch reactions to make sure they are engaged, but not overexcited.  Choose music with a dynamic beat.  Engage children in safe, rough-and-tumble play.  Use a dramatic voice while reading.  Be silly and creative in your play.
• Create interactive games.  Try activities that involve taking turns so children remain engaged (such as rolling a ball or passing a rattle back and forth).
• Get children to move their bodies.  Low-intensity children may be more responsive if they’re physically engaged.
• Join them in activities that interest them.  If they like to sing, join in for a duet.  If they like to dance, try dancing with them.

Characteristics of children who are “Big Reactors,” or more demanding: 

• Are often quick to tell people how they feel in a loud voice
• Express their feelings with great intensity (for example, showing supreme happiness by squealing with delight and expressing anger by shouting, throwing things, hitting, and biting)
• React to physical stimulation intensely (for example, perhaps being unable to tolerate an itchy tag on a T-shirt, the wrinkle in a sock, or an unpleasant smell)

Practical Strategies to support “Big Reactors,” or more demanding children:

• Tune things down!  Music and lighting should be soft.  Clothing should also be soft.  Play should be fun, but not over stimulating.
• Offer physical comfort when the child is distressed.  Hold the child close, massage his or her back, and/or rock the child.
• Show that you understand by validating their feelings.  For example, use expressions such as “I know it’s hard for you to be in crowded, noisy places.”
• Help children problem-solve.  For example: “Jake’s birthday is probably going to be very noisy and crowded today.  What can we do to make it more comfortable for you?”
• Don’t punish children for who they are.  They are generally not overreacting.  Holding them close and validating their feelings can help them calm down and feel safe and secure.  When children have strong reactions, it is tough to learn how to manage them.  But with your support, children can learn effective, appropriate coping skills.

For many children, emotional intensity isn’t a big issue for them at all. Their reactions fall somewhere between those of Low and Big Reactors.  Their moods are fairly even, and they tend to take things in stride most of the time.  They typically will smile when they’re happy and complain, in a reasonable way, when they’re not.  However, it is good to be aware of various extremes in temperament that you may encounter when working with children, and be prepared to support and encourage them in a variety of ways.