Episode 68

Sandra and Em talk about how the cognitive function of Introverted Sensing (nicknamed Preservation Sensing) shows up in kids. This function is used by kids who have ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ and ESFJ preferences in the Myers-Briggs personality type model. 

Links and references:

Find Your Child’s Myers-Briggs Type
Myers-Briggs Basics
Cognitive Function Cheat Sheet

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Full show notes: 

Overview of Preservation Sensing

• An Introverted function: deals with the inner world
• A Perceiving function: deals with how we take in information
• Preservation Sensing users take in information by: Attuning to the past, valuing practical experience and preserving existing standards.

In adults (episode 64) we talked about this function having 4 facets:

• Routine-oriented to create stability
• Value experience 
• Diligent and Process Oriented
• Attuned to feedback

What this looks like in kids:
(these will be true MOST of the time with ISTJ/ISFJ kids and true just some of the time for ESTJ/ESFJ kids)

• Reserved  (ISTJ/ISFJ)
  • Preservation Sensing is an internal process of reflection and sense experiences and therefore these kids are most comfortable when oriented to their inner world. They tend to be more quiet, introverted and unassuming, especially in new and unfamiliar situations. 

• Routine-oriented – 
  • Since they trust their past experiences, they are most comfortable with familiar routines. 
  • Have a great memory for details, especially the details of something they have directly experienced. They want to do things in the same way they’ve done them and can relate to things better when they know what to expect and when it feels familiar.

• Struggle with change 
  • They draw from things that have happened in their past to inform how to approach their present or their future. For this reason, change can be an especially difficult experience for these kids. How can they know what a new school will be like when they have never been to that school before? How do they know they can cope with moving to a new house if they have never moved houses before?

• Process oriented – 
  • They like things to progress in a step-by-step manner. School assignments that involve clear and phased instructions are most comfortable for them
  • They may feel overwhelmed or confused in how to start a project or task in which there are not clear and detailed instructions.

• Well-Suited for Specialization – 
  • Because of their comfort with repetition and routine, and the way they prefer to use their brain, Preservation Sensing children are well-primed to become specialized in one skill or interest. Once they find an activity they like, they are likely to stick with that activity for the long term, improving each year and eventually become quite talented in that area.

• Need guidance – 
  • They trust authority figures and those who have more experience than they do. They want to be told how to do something by someone who really knows the subject well, as this is how they feel most confident they are getting the best information. 
  • This can lead to an observing of the hierarchy of situations in life, such as being more shy around older kids or adults, but more vocal with peers or younger, less experienced kids.
    
    
• Sensory-oriented –
  • They may be sensitive to textures, smells and tastes. Caring about how the clothing they are wearing feels, etc. 

What your child needs:

• Respect their need for consistency, uphold routines
  
• Give extra support when things are changing – preview the change
  
• Compare things that are happening now or in the future to things that they have already experienced in their past:
  
• Be clear and specific with your instructions and communication
  
• Honor their Introversion by allowing them time to observe before they participate
  

Write in or leave a comment: Do you have a Preservation Sensing child? Do you notice these themes in your kid? Tell us about that and what parenting tactics you use with them that work.