Quiet Kids

September 16, 2013
Schools and our culture favor the extrovert, asserts YA author and school psychologist Fonseca (The Girl Guide), a self-identified introvert who conducts workshops on the subject. Society “cherishes extroversion,” she writes, but there is nothing wrong with introversion (which may affect as much as a quarter of the population), and it does not need to be “fixed.” According to Fonseca, the difference is neurological: the introvert’s brain utilizes the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, while the extrovert relies on dopamine. Introverts need solitude, time to process before answering a question (e.g., in class), and are unsettled by competitive environments. Fonseca focuses on the introvert’s strengths (creativity, curiosity, deep thinking) while helping parents and educators understand and answer the introverted child’s needs. In four parts, she addresses the introverted child’s hardwiring, life at home, at school, and at play. The chapters include “class notes” that specifically speak to teachers, with suggestions on how to make a classroom balanced for the quiet child, as well as the extrovert. Fonseca also addresses ways parents can help the introverted child at home, including relaxation techniques and methods of building resiliency and social skills. Extremely useful for educators and parents, this thoughtful text emphasizes the many gifts of quiet kids.