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The Shy Child
Why do some children cringe at the idea of going to parties, while
others steal the show?
Some children are considered shy and introvert, while other children
are socially extroverted, and according to a leading researcher, of
all children born, 15% of them have a tendency towards shyness.
These children are easily stressed or scared when faced with the
unknown, while the extroverted type tend to take everything in their
stride as a youngster, but become fearful later in life.
Children who are particularly shy and frightened in new situations,
may demonstrate some of the following behaviour:
- Inability to build friendships
- Prefers to be on her own, retreating from social gatherings
- Seems unsettled or upset when guests arrive at her home
- Tends to cling to their parents, and cry and perform if left
behind
- Has difficulty in trying out new games, and may just prefer to
watch
- Won't always stand up to what she believes in, and feels
desperately hurt when conflict arises
What you can do to help your child overcome his shyness
If both parents are extroverts and are constantly surrounded by
people and new everyday experiences, it may seem like an
unacceptable form of behaviour, that the child is constantly backing
down from everything. But as a parent, scorning your child for
acting the way he does, will only deepen the problem, which may lead
to a life-long battle. Rather offer your child plenty of support
during this time, encouraging him - in a gentle way, to partake in
whatever he can. Help her to establish friendships by inviting a
neighbour's child over to play, or even one from her class, that you
known isn't likely to damage the emotional security you’ve begun to
teach your child. Whenever your child seems to make an effort,
praise her accordingly, as those few words of encouragement and
support will help her to view new experiences far more positively.
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