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Children are introverts too!

How many of us can honestly say that we have never used some version of the phrase 'look at me when I am talking to you', either as teachers or as head teachers? I know I have done so in moments of frustration, but I have always regretted it. As an introvert, I find it difficult to make eye contact with others, particularly when I am talking, although I do it when I am listening too. It is not a conscious decision to look away, my brain simply cannot process thoughts without doing it. This is typical of introverts, and there are actually quite a lot of us out there. Believe it or not, around 50% of the population of the UK identifies as having that personality type!

Being an introvert or an extrovert is not a binary choice. It is more of a spectrum with introversion at one end and extroversion at the other. Most of us are nearer to one end than the other, and those smack in the middle are called ambiverts. So, in a typical class of children or in a room full of adults, we are likely to have around 20% who identify as being dominantly introverted, which means that they will likely struggle with eye contact. 

So, when you are talking to someone, and they might appear not to be listening, bear in mind that they might not be doing so, and in fact, they might be giving you more attention than the rest of the class or group of people. If you are not sure, then a quiet, sympathetic check-in is all that is needed, not a public shaming. You might just be lucky enough to be talking to an introvert like me!

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