Like kids, but don't get along with them?

Question

I love playing with and helping out younger kids, however, i notice that they are always staring at me and sidling away. I asked my friend what i might be doing wrong, and she said "nothing. but you do look a little intimidating". How am i intimidating? I'm not too tall, and not very muscular. I'm not too bad looking either. Is it because i dress like a tomboy? Please let me hear your opinions.

Answer 1

when you talk to kids try bending down on their level because everyone may seem tall and intimidating to them

Answer 2

I'm not sure what might be causing children to be intimidated, but I'm a teacher and I've noticed if I try to get on kids' levels it seems to help. I will bend down or sit down to talk to them so that I'm at eye-level and not towering over them. I'm not tall either, but it's still intimidating for kids to look up at me, even if it's not by very much:-) Also, just try to smile a lot and use a warm, caring voice.

Answer 3

You may be:

Too tall, Too loud or deep a voice, strange as in new

You could:

Speak softly, don't try too hard, they'll come to you and be at their height when you speak to them AND smile.

You don't have to do that much to intimidate most children.

Answer 4

1.) Put yourself at their level.  Kneel down, etc.

2.) Listen to your tone of voice.  For many people, this just comes naturally.  They speak in a slightly higher and softer voice when speaking to young children.  You may have to learn to do this by observing others.  

3.)  Let kids come to you.  Kids are wary of often wary of people that come on too strong.

Answer 5

Kids will usually shy away from new people. There are two ways to handle this: you can step up and assume they like you, or you an stand back and let them approach you. As a teacher, I have had to do both. The key is to be yourself (kids are pretty good at sniffing out phonies!) and to let them know you are available to help/play a game/ be a friend. Offer to help, but don't worry if they refuse.