Posted on June 19, 2009 in latest news
A shy kid might be labeled a genius initially, but as the child grows, interacting with other kids is important. Overcoming shyness is important for the mental, physical and emotional development of the child. Even though most kids grow out of shyness by the age 8, few of them might struggle. So what to do about shy kids to improve, parents can help them to a great extent.
Parents can recognize signs of shyness when the kids sticks to only the parent and refuses to talk to anyone else in social gatherings, events etc. Refusal to play with other kids, lack of interest in attending social events are some of the signs of a shy kid. Hopefully, parents can take steps to help their kids overcome the shyness.
What to do about Shy Kids?
Here are few ways to deal with a shy kid:
- Encourage interaction: Parents should encourage the child to have interaction with other children at an early age. Playgroups are a good place to make your kids comfortable at a social gathering. The earlier the child gets comfortable with other kids, the better it is for the child
- Include Activities: To promote interaction, you can invite neighboring kids, school friends to home and organize activities that your child loves. Swimming, watching television, playing can be some of the options
- Teach: Teach your child how to converse and different ways to greet people. Before attending a family gathering, you can teach your child how to say, hi or good bye. It is better to show these skills to the kids through actions.
- One-on-One interaction: A playdate where the kid plays with only one child can be a great place to start. Gradually, you kid would get used to the new friend and may be encouraged to make friends.
For kids above 8 years, joining them in a sports club or involving them in extracurricular activities can be greatly helpful. Parents should avoid labeling their kids as ‘shy’ as such remarks can have negative affects. Also avoid pushing the shy kid to become more sociable. Parents should put their efforts to make sure the child gets good exposure to other people. Gradually, your kid would be able to come out of the cocoon and would be happy to socialize.
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July 14th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
thanks for this article i will try my best to use these tips for my kid whom is just six years old