Dealing with Shy Kids
Posted: February 11, 2008How do you help a shy kid come out of his shell ? That is a question that many parents have to deal with and it can be really frustrating.
Parents should remember that shyness is not a disease. It is a generally just a genetic predisposition.
Children who struggle with shyness are more often more frustrated with it than their parents are. When we criticise children for being shy, all we are doing is compounding the problem. It only makes them more conscious of their shyness and usually makes it worse.
The right approach is to show them that you love them unconditionally. Make sure that they know that you are not embarassed by their shyness.
Also, gently encourage them to work through their shy tendencies. You could even demonstrate in private how to look someone in the eye and give a firm handshake. Practise with them before the actual event happen. This will help them to build up their confidence when meeting with friends and relatives. One good example is that I practise with my daughter on the Chinese New Year greetings on the way to our relatives and friends’ place. So when we reached there, we will greet them as what have been practised.
Above all, make sure you praise them often and never foucs on their faults.
