Shyness in childhood is a common characteristic, but few parents really know what to do about it. It is important to understand children and try to help them from an early age, without forcing or pressuring them.
With the right support, you can help your child with their school life, but also with their social relationships with family and friends. This way, they can improve in the present and develop for the future.
To learn some good tips on how to help a child with this characteristic in a healthy way, check out the topics below.
Shyness in childhood
Shyness is a common occurrence in many people’s lives when they are at the beginning of their journey. It is often a characteristic of their personality and is not always a bad thing.
In some cases, children improve naturally as time goes by and they mature, especially if there is adequate parental supervision.
When it might be a problem
However, when shyness is excessive and directly harms social relationships, it becomes a problem. If they prefer to stay isolated and are unable to interact with people their own age or family members, for example, it may be a sign that something needs to be worked on.
In this case, they feel exposed and worried about other people’s judgment. It is a symptom that is associated with anxiety and a feeling of insecurity and unrealistic fear.
This could be, for example, when meeting new people or in social situations, such as parties. Children then feel determined to avoid contact and become withdrawn.
They often find a refuge, such as a habit or activity, and stick to it. Therefore, it is essential that parents advise and teach them that these things they enjoy can be used, but without sacrificing relationships.
It is important to try to help and teach your children that what they are facing is not an illness, but can be improved with time and patience. Children need to understand each other so that they can open up little by little.
Tips for overcoming shyness
Below, we will present some tips on how to help your child overcome excessive shyness.
Keep an open dialogue
It is essential that there is communication and open dialogue with parents. Gain your child’s trust and make him or her feel comfortable talking to you freely.
This way, the little one will expose their fears, concerns and tastes to someone and will begin to understand the benefits of doing so.
Address difficult situations and understand how they feel. This way, parents can propose solutions that are easy for them, one step at a time.
Do not force the child to expose themselves
It is important not to force the child to expose themselves when they feel withdrawn, as this only makes them withdraw even more.
If she is unable to speak in a situation where she is in contact with many people, respect her moment and her difficulty. Talk and teach her, but do not expose or force her.
Encourage socializing with others
Likewise, encouraging interaction with other children in small groups can be effective.
When dealing with colleagues in parks/clubs/parties, generally with similar tastes and interests, they gradually learn to relax more and communicate in a more natural and comfortable way.
If they are part of a circle of friends, the child feels part of something and this is very good for their development. This way, they will begin to trust others and cultivate good friendships.
Teach her that this type of relationship is normal in life and that there is nothing to fear. Over time, she will understand and begin to value this.
Always praise when there is effort
To boost self-confidence and help them understand that relationships are good, you can use praise as positive reinforcement. This way, whenever they make an effort to get out of isolation, interact and form bonds, they will be rewarded and feel happier.
If parents can create a satisfying and pleasant environment from an early age when children are trying hard, they will be able to work well with their fears and concerns.
After all, they may feel out of place or strange if they try to interact, due to the difficulty, but if you show them that they did well, this will encourage them to continue interacting.
Avoid judging or scolding
It is also important to avoid being too judgmental or reprimanding. For example, don’t constantly talk about your child’s shyness as something bad, as this may sound as if you are ashamed of them.
To help children develop in a healthy way, talk and be understanding, without placing too much weight on the little ones’ shoulders.
You should not offer excessive comfort, as if to reinforce their fear and anxiety and suppress their attempts to change. But you also need to avoid overly strong actions. The ideal is to respect the moment, the pace, and help them understand the condition.
Use technology
Technology can be used to help develop social skills and create this awareness in people from an early age.
After all, approaches that use computational tools, such as educational apps and games, involve interaction and collaboration , which allows children to open up in a fun and playful way, without pressure and anxiety.
Games, for example, are naturally cooperative, since they involve group efforts and healthy competition. In them, dialogue and unity are necessary to overcome obstacles and reach a set goal.
By integrating with their peers in social activities, they will be able to develop empathy and respect for others. All of this is done in a natural and spontaneous way, with resources that they already use in their daily lives.
It is also possible to use technology to stimulate children’s autonomy, creativity and self-confidence. When they engage with new knowledge, universes and possibilities, they will understand that they are capable of proposing ideas, communicating and leading.
Parents need to be patient and understand their children’s development, without demanding too much from them. They must respect their natural rhythm and changes, always pointing out the benefits of these social skills.