The Shy Child

We often say they're naturally shy. If your child experiences shyness, you can help by supporting her in social situations, encouraging brave social behaviour.
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If you label a child as "shy," your description may become a permanent characteristic of the child. Instead, say something like, "Everyone is different.

Shyness and children

Melissa is a thinker. She watches and learns about what's happening before participating. Have the children practice:. Meet with the parent or guardian. Ask the parent to reinforce the social skills listed above. Encourage the parent to help the child do things for him or herself. Brainstorm ways to increase positive peer interactions for the child so that he or she can become more outgoing and independent.

Stress that the parent should not label their child "shy" or call the shyness a "problem. Used by permission of the author, Leah Davies, and selected from the Kelly Bear website [www. Have the children practice: Holding their heads up, smiling and making eye contact when they are speaking.

The Shy Child by Leah Davies,

Say, "If you look at me while you are talking, I will be able to hear what you have to say. For example, have the children say things like, "Hi, my name is Tommy! Have them smile and say things such as, "It's fun to play this game with you!


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Comments the children may make are: Back Find a Therapist. What Causes Stress Eating? Parenting Adolescents and the Choice-Consequence Connection. Has Gender Always Been Binary? The Shy Child Be careful not to refer to your child as shy in front of her.

If she feel secure in your love , she will feel valuable and find it easier to relate to others Be careful not to refer to your child as shy in front of her. It will embarrass her Be sure to provide ample opportunities for her to be with other children, preferably children who are not overbearing.

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Notify me when new comments are posted. Many parents feel disappointed or even frustrated that their child is slower to warm up. Most parents want their child to feel at ease with others, and to have confidence in social situations. It might just be part of her genetic make-up. It can help to focus on the positive steps you and your child are taking to overcome shyness.

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Raising the shy child: A longitudinal study of the links between temperamental shyness, activity, and trajectories of internalising problems from infancy to middle childhood. Australian Journal of Psychology , 63 , Silence is not golden: Strategies for helping the shy child.

Does shy-inhibited temperament in childhood lead to anxiety problems in adolescence? Social withdrawal and shyness. Hart Eds , The Wiley-Blackwell handbook of childhood social development 2nd edn, pp.