How to Parent & Teach an ENTP Child | 16 Personality Insights for Kids

Hello and welcome back! In this playlist, we’re exploring how to parent and teach each personality type. Today, we’re focusing on the ENTP — a type that’s full of energy, creativity, and surprises. I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned as both a special education teacher and a mom raising an ENTP child.

So, Why do ENTPs Stand Out in EducationI am a special education teacher, and If I were to make a pie chart of the personalities I have on my caseload, ENTPs would take the largest slice. That’s not theory — that’s my personal experience. If you’re unfamiliar with special education, children qualify for specialized individualized services when they’re at least two grade levels behind in something and their delay has to affect their access to the general education curriculum. It’s important to note, this does not just have to be in academics, this could be for behavior, social-emotional challenges, adaptive, and executive functioning as well. 

WIth ENTPs? They are known to be pretty brilliant and in my experience, that is very true. So why special education? The ENTP children I see qualify for services under special education are for behavior and social emotional support. I see this with  ESFPs, and ESTPs as well… And if they do qualify for academics it is because their behavior has impacted their ability to access their learning, in which case, they haven’t given themselves the chance to be at grade level. In my experience, once the unexpected behaviors are replaced with more expected ones, they are able to access content alongside their peers very easily. They may still be disruptive with vocal noises, try to be disruptive to get a reaction, lie, or not want to show their work but they are intelligent, the education system and the way it’s designed I feel really sets this type up for complete failure and the effects limit their creativity, motivation, and confidence to become something great. 

But, when an ENTP turns their behaviors from unexpected to expected and are able to access their general education, their day turns into mostly general education with little to no support in academics, but rather - scheduled breaks throughout their day to do their own thing and get their way,.. They usually choose a game or something they want to do WITH someone. They really value that 1:1 time with a person of their choice. 

As a mom, My son is 6 years old and absolutely fits the ENTP profile. Even as a baby, I would jokingly call him a Sour Patch Kid. He’d be sweet one moment, and the next… not so sweet. It reminded me of JACK JACK from The Incredibles. Later, while learning about personality types, I was chatting with someone about ENTPs and they said — unprompted — “Oh, they’re totally Sour Patch Kids.” It was the most validating moment.

What I’ve Noticed About ENTPs 

• ENTPs are extremely sensitive to their comfort zone. They don’t like feeling restricted or left out.. 

• They have serious FOMO. If they’re in an unhealthy state, they’ll self-sabotage. They might say they don’t care, but they do. Deeply. They want to be included, to be taught, and to understand social norms — even if they act like they don’t.

  • Somewhere to start for intervention would be earning something, like an activity or game, with a person of their choice.

• They’ll test loyalty. These children will throw out a couple different types of tests but it usually has to do with loyalty.

  • The ENTP may create a situation knowing the answer is no, so that they have reason to amp their behavior up and test to see if you’re still loyal to them and if you still see them as a good kid. 

  • If they are in an environment where they don’t feel comfortable or they don’t have a safe person, they may amp up their behavior and demand for that person. 

  • It is  like, “If I amp up my behavior, what will it take for you to cave and get me what and/or who I want?”

• They need one solid person. While other types thrive in a “wolf pack,” ENTPs usually attach deeply to one person they trust. If they don’t have that person, you’ll often see a very unhealthy version of the ENTP. Especially in the case of a parent leaving the household, these specific types may take the blame very personally. 

  • The downside? That one person gets drained. So if you are “the one,” it’s important to show them who you trust too — and let others step in when needed. 

• The ENTP wants to be chosen. Recognition means the world to them. Not being picked — for a game, award, or friendship — cuts deep. My son gets deeply offended if a friend doesn’t pick him.. It’s like friendship is over - so we have to really talk about how it’s ok to have more than one friend and work through some friendship dynamic understandings. 

• They want to know WHY. Blind compliance doesn’t come naturally. If you explain the reason behind rules and give them small choices, they’re much more likely to cooperate.

• They respond to structure + freedom. They need rules, but also room to debate, test, and explore without constant punishment. The “three-strike rule” is a lifesaver here.

• They may miss social cues. This often causes misunderstandings — especially in games. They’ll even change the rules in their head, then get upset when others don’t follow.

Stories from the Classroom + Home"My ENTP students, when they are having a behavior - often bang their head or shoe on the wall or door, scream, loud cries, debate loudly, bang on doors, and more 

They will often go into freeze mode and refuse to choose a strategy to calm down. They will often say 'I can’t!' and continue banging or hiding under things. The truth is — they are in control— but in that moment, they feel so out of control they can’t see it. What helps is telling them: 'You’re a good kid. You’re in control. I’m here when you’re ready.' then disengaging…It’s about being on their team, not against them. This might be a loyalty check so you might have to disengage and their safe person may have to disengage for the duration of the unexpected behavior or put a timer on. 

ENTPs need grounding exercises to work. Unlike ESTPs or ESFPs who need to leave the environment, ENTPs carry their feelings with them. They need tools like breathing and meditation to reset in place. Giving them 5 minutes of disengagement before checking back in makes a huge difference."

Whereas the ESTP and ESFP need a completely new experience to re-regulate, the ENTP can’t be re-directed like that. Unlike the ESTP and ESFP, the environment doesn’t dictate their mood, they need to learn grounding exercises. The calm space for an ENTP is simply to get their attention, for them to choose a strategy - or if they can’t choose - then give them the strategy to practice - and then have them practice the grounding exercise or meditation strategy. 

Accountability + Emotional Growth"Accountability is tough for ENTPs. They’ll often say, 'Well, they did it first!' I’ve learned to separate the issues: 'I’ll handle that — right now, we’re talking about you.'

They think they know what a good choice is, but often their compass is a little off. It doesn’t point true north. They need gentle redirection that doesn’t embarrass them. When they do make a good choice, even after breaking a small rule, reward it. That builds their internal compass over time."

ENTPs + the School System"Honestly, I wonder if half the ENTPs on my caseload would even need special ed if our school system was designed differently. Interest-based schools — art, tech, agriculture, performance — would help them thrive. Right now, they’re punished for being expressive, talkative, and wiggly. The more they’re punished, the more they act out. It’s a cycle."

Final Thoughts"ENTPs are brilliant, fun, and full of life. But if they’re misunderstood — or worse, unloved — they can grow up angry and disconnected. With the right support, structure, and love, though, ENTPs can become world-changers.

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Listen, we can talk about history and the outcomes the education system was designed for, but let’s be real… the system is working exactly as planned. We’re seeing the behaviors, the absence of real life skills for a sustainable generational future, and kids being shaped into unconscious, angry beings.

The truth? It’s built to serve only 2 out of the 16 personality types. And now, video games and social media are hijacking our—and our children’s—brains.

I’m not saying homeschooling is the answer. It’s one option, but not realistic for most families—especially in a world built on capitalism and two-income households. What we do need is stronger early childhood education and a complete redesign of our systems to support developing brains, evolving societies, and the needs of future generations.

Right now, this is not sustainable—and we’re all feeling it.

If you want to donate to our mission, head to MindChild.net. If you want to learn how to parent or work with each personality type, hit subscribe. We’re here to shine light on the education system, the literacy crisis, parenting strategies, and why understanding the 16 personalities is so important—because education is not one-size-fits-all.

Let’s be the change.

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