"Children who react strongly to stress or have more behaviour and health problems than their peers are likely to do well when raised in a supportive environment, a new study says. "Parents and teachers may find that sensitive children, like orchids, are more challenging to raise and care for," says Jelena Obradovi, assistant professor at the School of Education at Stanford University.
"But they can bloom into individuals of exceptional ability and strength when reared in a supportive, nurturing, and encouraging environment," he adds.
Researchers looked at 338 KG students, as well as their teachers and families, to determine how family adversity and biological reactivity contribute to healthy development.
They found that children who had significantly stronger biological reactions to a series of mildly stressful tasks designed to look like challenges in their daily lives were more affected by their family contexts, both bad and good.
"But they can bloom into individuals of exceptional ability and strength when reared in a supportive, nurturing, and encouraging environment," he adds.
Researchers looked at 338 KG students, as well as their teachers and families, to determine how family adversity and biological reactivity contribute to healthy development.
They found that children who had significantly stronger biological reactions to a series of mildly stressful tasks designed to look like challenges in their daily lives were more affected by their family contexts, both bad and good.
Stress is good for kids (Getty Images) |