How to Help a Shy Child

Watching your child awkwardly navigate simple social situations can be painful for a parent. Parents can take an active role in helping their child become more social and self confident.

Things You'll Need

  • Constant Awareness of Child and Awareness
  • Positive Attitude
  • Encouraging Behaviour
  • Actively playing a role in your kids social activities

Instructions

    • 1

      Identify Triggers - shyness triggers have three things in common, they involve something new, something unpredictable or a situation where the child feels they are being evaluated. If your child is old enough, ask about what causes his reaction. If your child is younger, use your powers of observation. The first step to helping to manage these feelings is know what makes your child react shyly.

    • 2

      Build Self-Esteem- Talking about and praising past success creates confidence and self-esteem in the future. Shy children may have negative self-images so reinforce shy children for demonstrating social skills and praise them often.

    • 3

      Plan Ahead - Shy children have a longer "warming up" period than other kids. Anticipate and acknowledge this when introducing new situations or people. You may need to arrive early at school or at a party to let them survey the situation and get more comfortable. Also talk abut the social event and what they might expect.

    • 4

      Practice and Develop Social Skills - Encourage your child to practice simple non-threatening social graces such as "hello", "please" and "thank you". Socialization is really a must so do lots of role playing and give them opportunities to comfortably try these techniques.

    • 5

      Gradually Expand Their Comfort Zone - Most shy children have narrow comfort zones of people, places and activities so try to enlarge your child's social environment. Offer indirect social support but don't push.

    • 6

      Know and Accept the Whole Child - Relax and accept your child's personality. As long as the child does not seem excessively uncomfortable around others, drastic interventions are not necessary. Some "shy" children are deep-thinkers. A shy child with healthy self-worth may be quite happy with herself. Don't create a problem where there is none.

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