sensitive kids--social

[puffingirl]

DD is almost 4 years old and pretty innocent.  She genuinely doesn't understand why people are mean and gets her feelings hurt fairly easily if other kids are unkind. She doesn't fight back or cry but retreats and then comes to me later, feeling sad.  I know she's going to need to "toughen up" a bit to get along socially.  I had a hard time with this as a kid--all kids get teased and I didn't take it well.  But I also don't want to squash her very sweet spirit.  She is one of those kids that wants to be friends with everyone and wants to believe everyone is kind and friendly. Any words of wisdom from other mamas with sensitive kiddos? 

[NiteNicole]

I hope someone has some advice.  I have a child who wants to be BFFs with every kid she meets but she's also sensitive and reactive - I know from my own time in elementary school that those are the kids who get teased.  I have no idea what to do to help her toughen up a bit.  It takes next to nothing to bring her to tears, she over reacts to every little (imagine) slight.  I don't know what to do.  I don't want to tell her not to have her feelings, but she needs to not take EVERYTHING so personally and to stand up for herself without shrieking or tears.