How to overcome a child’s shyness?
Children of different ages can experience problems with self-confidence and excessive shyness, which can negatively affect their adult life. Therefore, parents need to know how to overcome the shyness of the child, and identify it in the early stages of development. We have prepared some practical tips for you on how you can help your indecisive baby and make him more self-confident.
1. Don’t call him shy.
If you are worried that your child is too shy, it is very important that you do not call him shy, small, or insecure. In children from 3 to 10 years old, character is formed, and, of course, parents contribute to this formation. For children, there is no one more authoritative than their mom and dad. And everything we say to them stays in their memory for a long time and contributes to the formation of character. Therefore, you need to make sure that you only talk about your child in a positive way. Especially when he hears your conversations. Be sure to highlight your little one’s strengths and praise him as often as possible. If your child is upset or afraid of something, be sure to listen to him and tell him that he has nothing to fear. Children whose feelings are accepted by their parents tend to grow up emotionally resilient and self-confident.
2. Children learn from their parents
Not sure how to overcome your child’s shyness? Then observe yourself, how you behave in society. You may be a shy person yourself. In this case, you need to start with you, and work on your self-esteem and self-confidence. Children learn social skills by observing other people, including their parents. Therefore, develop in yourself those character traits that you want to see in your child. Be sociable and friendly with other people. Spend time with your friends. And become a socially active person.
3. Identify situations in which your child is shy
Think about specific situations that make your toddler feel shy and develop skills that can help him in those situations. For example, if your child is huddled in a corner at birthday parties. If this is the case, invite the children to do a little play. Use his favorite toys to play out various interactions. Let him hug the children, give them toys, ask something, and say words of gratitude.
4. Encourage him to new hobbies
Give your child more opportunities for development. Diversify his free time. Look for the activities he does best and build on his strengths. This will make it much easier for you to overcome your child’s shyness. Visit various sections and circles with him. See what he will be most interested in and what he will be interested in. If the child does what he likes, then in this place it will be easier for him to get to know and communicate with other children.
It is also imperative that you hide any doubts or worries you may have about your baby’s abilities. Support any of his undertakings, and believe in him. He should feel your support, then it will be much easier for him to overcome shyness.
5. You don’t need to help him in everything
The next method for overcoming a child’s shyness is to teach him to be independent. Many parents show excessive concern for the child, doing everything instead of him, and try to help him in everything. They, of course, have only good intentions. However, this can be counterproductive. The child becomes dependent on his parents, and is capable of little on his own. As a result, he becomes less confident and more shy. So when your child is learning something new, try not to get in the way and avoid over-intrusion. Let your child learn through trial and error. Thus, you can overcome shyness in a child, and he will already show independence at this age.
6. Help boost your baby’s self-esteem
Use praise whenever possible. Praise him for even minor accomplishments. Create an environment that makes your child more likely to achieve positive results and success. Help him improve his own self-esteem. Talk to him more about how he did the right thing in a given situation. This will help him develop an inner sense of pride and dignity.
7. Show love for him.
Tell your child how much you love him regularly and repeatedly. Show physical affection, kiss and hug him often. Warm and affectionate communication with your child will fill him with a sense of value and recognition. Which are critical to developing the inner self-confidence needed to bond and interact with others.
8. Expand his circle of friends
Perhaps your baby is too shy because he has no one to be friends with and communicate with. In this case, you need to expand the circle of his acquaintances. Create an environment so that he can spend more time with other children. Invite them to your place, walk with your child in public places where there are many other children. Just observe a reasonable limit in everything. After all, if your child is really too shy, it will be difficult for him to join the new team. Therefore, expand the circle of his acquaintances gradually. And when you do this, you are next to him.
9. Explain to your child that everyone makes mistakes.
Shyness in a baby can occur due to his unsuccessful attempts. At a young age, children are interested in everything, they want to try everything and do something themselves. But when they fail, they can become very upset and worried, which will negatively affect their self-esteem. You need to explain to your child that all people make mistakes. Because we learn from mistakes and become stronger, and this is a completely normal process of personality development.
10. Get professional help
If your child is chronically sad and withdrawn, and does not know how to behave in normal social situations. Or he was previously outgoing, but suddenly became too shy and anxious. Then you better turn to a child psychologist for help. So that he can more effectively help you overcome your child’s shyness.