How Parents Can Encourage Their Shy Children In Discovering Their Full Potential
Does your child refuse to even say “hello” when guests or relatives come around for dinner or lunch? He hides behind you and avoids making eye contact? Or, your daughter hasn’t talked to anybody in three weeks of school and her teacher enquiries regarding whether she is deaf?
Many parents are worried about their shy child. They worry that their child may lose out on possibilities and lead a life without meaning. Parents worry that their child may be portrayed as being rude or unskilled.
The majority of shy children are hesitant to perform in front of people, give presentations in class, or be the center of attention. However, shyness might prevent the child from achieving their full potential, both inside and outside of the classroom.
In this article here are some strategies parents may use to support their shy children in developing their friendships, assertiveness, and emotional awareness. But first let’s start by knowing what shyness is.
Shyness
Young children typically shy away from unfamiliar situations and have a hard time speaking out when they feel pressured or uncomfortable. As a result, shy children may exhibit characteristics like being afraid to make mistakes, shying away from social settings, and feeling insecure around their peers.
How shyness could be problematic?
Children often exhibit extreme shyness when it becomes a serious issue, which has a severe impact on their regular day-to-day activities. They could even avoid going to school and other social settings. In this case, parents should take their children to a mental health specialist. The specialist can diagnose the cause of the shyness and provide guidance to the parents.
What are the ways that parents can encourage their shy children in discovering their full potential?
- Allow shy children to set their own lead
When a child is shy, parents should let them determine how far to go in order to support them and learn how to make friends. For example, let your child know that you’re accessible when they’re comfortable even if they don’t want to communicate or share at school. Changing shy behavior typically takes some patience and time.
- Motivate shy children to learn according to their own pace
Don’t push a shy child into regular extracurricular activities like drama or sports before they’re ready. Encourage your child’s participation in after-school programs if they show an interest in doing so, but don’t pressure them to join. It’s possible that until they’re older, your child won’t like these kinds of activities.
- Set up a peaceful area in your home
A shy child might feel more comfortable and is encouraged to spend time alone by having a secure space at home that can also be decorated according to their preferences. A soothing environment will give a shy child a comfortable place to read, play games, watch TV, or do whatever else they want to do.
- Progressively achieving independence
Making simple and independent activities for shy children to complete on their own, like making breakfast or packing a bag for school, can boost their self-assurance. Children who are shy typically require more encouragement to develop greater independence, but making adjustments too early might be harmful.
- When your shy child begins to feel hesitant, give them encouraging feedback
They tend to lose their feeling of social awareness when they start to feel hesitant or uncomfortable, which increases their likelihood of acting in negative ways like stuttering, not engaging, etc. They need to understand that it’s alright for them to be reserved and that you still love and care about them even then.
Conclusion,
Love, care and support can help shy children overcome any obstacles in their life. Don’t miss any opportunities to make your child feel good and special about themselves, since shyness is frequently the result of shy children believing they aren’t good enough, it’s critical to let shy kids know that you admire and trust them. A child always needs to be treated as special, unlike their nature.
Pic: The Irish News
