10 Things You Can Do To Help A Shy Child

There are a few points about shyness in children which will help you better understand the best approach in dealing with your child. You will need to identify the nature of your child's shyness. Children are shy in different ways for different reasons. Understanding the nature of your child's shyness will help you develop a program geared towards your child's specific needs. Here are some tips to help you get started.

1. First of all, are you sure your child really is shy? Some children like to size up a situation before they jump in. Caution should not be misunderstood as shyness.

2. You'll need to find out the type of situations that make your child shy. Some children are shy only when they are in a group. Others become shy when asked to make a presentation in front of the class at school. Try to identify the specific skills your child needs to be more at ease in social situations which make them to be shy.

3. Don't call your child "shy". Studies have shown that often a child will grow to fit a label. Parental pressure on the shy child can cause anxiety and insecurity, leading to a worse problem with shyness. Don't push your child to achieve above his or her individual level. If you have to use the word 'shy' to describe your child always pair it with something positive, e.g. "John is a little shy around people but he is a brilliant pianist!"

4. Never compare your shy child with other children in a negative way. And never allow anyone else to hurt your child in this way.

5. Take your child's ideas seriously. By lessening the importance of a child's concerns you lessen the child.

6. Help your child identify talents and hobbies that make him or her feel special.

7. Seek out activities that offer an opportunity for growth and increased interaction with other children of his or her age. Encourage your child to get involved in activities with others. Don't allow too many isolating activities, like watching TV.

8. Never push your child to do things he or she would find unbearable. Rather, make suggestions, but realize your child may not be ready. Be patient.

9. You need not handle your shy child with kid gloves, but be aware of how he feels and show that you understand.

10. Seek qualified professional help if necessary.

Being shy doesn't have to mean that something is wrong with your child. It simply means that your child is uncomfortable in social situations. You can start your search for help by reading books, talking with other parents of shy children, taking classes, searching for information on the web or by speaking with your pastor. But if your child needs immediate help it's best to consult a qualified child counsellor. You can read some more articles about parenting at: http://www.baby-shop.org.uk/guide/

Copyright © 2005, Bridget Mwape writes for the Baby Shop UK: http://www.baby-shop.org.uk/ which features baby information including articles and discounts on baby products, gifts and advice from other parents.

This article may be republished as long as all the above links are active and clickable and this author box (byline) is not edited.

---

Adolescence - Clues and Advice

Be sure to respect the intellectual changes that mark adolescence.... Read More

Twin and Multiple Births are on the Rise

Did you know that the number of twin births have... Read More

Are You Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child?

Although many parents are concerned with our children's intelligence quotient... Read More

Picky Eater - Fighting the Good Fight

Often, the struggle at dinnertime with your picky eater is... Read More

Should We Apologize To Our Children?

An apology is a sign of strength, not weakness. Sometimes... Read More

Teaching Your Children with Coupons

Coupons can be a great tool in educating your child... Read More

Childrens Allowance

When we consider that the word allowance means, "allowing for,"... Read More

Public Schools Can Waste 12 Years of Your Child?s Life

For over fifty years, public-school officials and politicians have tried... Read More

Guilty of Not Following Her Heart

Karen, a single never-married thirty-year old attorney has a four-year... Read More

How Do You Find the Best Car Seat to Protect Your Child

Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More

The Effects of Televised Sexual Content on Adolescents

According to a September 2004 study by the RAND Corporation,... Read More

Ritalin (Methylphenidate) in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Ritalin is a good medication with a bad reputation. Its... Read More

Lets Protect Our Children

There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More

Mommies and Me Special Time

Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More

Children and Mom and Paper

Memorabilia ? Children can create enough artwork for an entire... Read More

Motherhood is a Perfect Adventure

How often do you think of family life as an... Read More

Eating Disorders in Children

If I had a dollar for every time I persuaded... Read More

The Seven Keys to Child Obedience

Learning obedience is an important part of child development. This... Read More

Advocating for Your Child with LD

Advocate: you've probably heard the term before. But what does... Read More

Twelve Tips To Connect With Teachers At Conference Time

It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More

Helping Your Child to Deal with Change

Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for... Read More

How Two Quarelling Kids Helped Invent the Better Behavior Wheel

When David was nine and Laura was twelve, the battles... Read More

Bird Flu Pandemic

What are the easiest things citizens can do to prevent... Read More

Drugs and Violence In Public Schools

Many public schools not only fail to educate our children,... Read More

Positive Parenting - Oops! I Really Lost My Temper With My Kids, What Now?

Ever blown your top to your children, only to regret... Read More

Just What Is A Learning Disability?

A learning disability is defined as a permanent problem that... Read More

Now, They?re Bullying My Daughter in Our Home: Welcome to Cyber-bullying

Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More

CAMP INJURIES- 7 Things You Must Know

WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS AT CAMP, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED... Read More

Psychological Effects of Child Abuse

Many children who suffer from the psychological effects of child... Read More

Top 25 Children Quotations

"You can learn many things from children. How much patience... Read More

Handling Failure -- Teaching Kids How to Profit From It

There is nothing pleasant about failure, at least not at... Read More

Starting School - What Age Should Children Begin School?

"What age should my child start school?"This is a common... Read More

Featured Article on Parenting: The Power of Belonging

Search for Assurance: The Power of BelongingThe job hunt is... Read More