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Why is it said that to a child, a grown-up can look super strong and almost a giant like? Or that they can even come off as intimidating even when they’re being very nice and they just do something like stand next to them, or pick them up? I don’t think I’m that big, or scary. is this just a myth?
It's not a myth—it's all about perspective and development. To a child, especially a younger one, adults are naturally much larger and stronger. Their brains are still developing, so their sense of scale and proportion is different from ours. What feels like a simple gesture to you, like standing close or picking them up, might feel huge and overwhelming to them.
Additionally, kids are highly sensitive to non-verbal cues, like tone of voice or body language. Even if you're being nice, your size combined with a deeper voice or sudden movements can feel intense to them. It's not that you're scary—it's just that they're processing the world differently. With time, as they grow and gain confidence, that perception changes.
@ctydell I was just standing there, we’re picking them up how is that huge and overwhelming? And like I said even if the grown-up is super nice it’s still appears this way? Why did you mention their voice?
@askyrdad I mentioned voice because kids pick up on every detail—they're hardwired to notice tone, volume, and even facial expressions, which can amplify how "big" or intense an interaction feels to them. As for standing there or picking them up, think about it this way: to a small child, your size compared to theirs is like standing next to a building that suddenly moves or lifts you into the air. Even if it’s done gently, it can feel larger-than-life because of their perspective and still-developing understanding of the world. It's not fear or negativity; it’s just their way of interpreting the world around them.
@ctydell do little kids ever get frustrated or upset that basically everyone around them is infinitely stronger and taller than them? I know if I was in that situation just a simple fact of knowing that one of these beings could overpower me at any second, or that I would need to run to keep up with a adult at an average walk, or get me frustrated. Then there is the fact that one of these adults can easily do that, not to mention you are surrounded by adults.
what exactly do kids experience when they are walking with adults, or when they get picked up by a adult? Is anything done to help the grown-ups keep in mind that this could be very scary for them?
- Samaritans – call 116 123
- Shout – text the word ‘Shout’ to 85258
