Do you have shy children?\u00a0 Chances are that at least ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.carouselandrockinghorses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/girl-smiling-300x200.jpg\" "\\"girl-smiling\\"")
one of your children falls into the category of \u00a0\u201cshy.\u201d\u00a0 Shy children often struggle making friends and participating in enjoyable activities.\u00a0 This can leave you, as a parent, wondering if your child will ever be \u201cnormal.\u201d\u00a0 The following are a few ways in which you can encourage your child to come out of his shell.\u00a0 Use the tips to help your child overcome his shyness.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Find opportunities for socialization. <\/em>If your child is not willing to get out there and socialize, you may have to help him out a little. Find opportunities for your child to be social.\u00a0 From going to the park, to accepting birthday party invitations, there are places where you can teach your child how to be social. Attend anything and everything in an effort to help him overcome the shyness. The more he is around people, the better chances he will have in overcoming shyness.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Encourage him to make friends.\u00a0 <\/em>Talk with your child about your childhood and relationships that you had when you were younger.\u00a0 Explain the importance of having friends and how fun it can be to share ideas and time with other people.\u00a0 Allow your experiences to rub off on him.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Teach him to make eye contact.\u00a0 <\/em>Shy children often lack in socialization skills.\u00a0 You may have to work on this with your child.\u00a0 If someone speaks to your child, make it a rule that he has to make eye contact with the person and at least say hello.\u00a0 Otherwise, his shy personality may come off as rudeness and make you look like a bad parent.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boost his self esteem.\u00a0 <\/em>Shy children often have very low self esteem. They need a confidence boost. As a parent, reassure your child that he or she is just as good as the other children around.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Don\u2019t label your child. <\/em>Avoid labeling your child as \u201cshy\u201d in front of him.\u00a0 If you call him shy, he is more likely to play the role.\u00a0 Avoid labeling your child in any area of life unless it is positive.\u00a0 Tell him he is smart and he will live up to it. Tell him he is shy and he will live up to this expectation as well. Avoid negative labeling.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Discover his strengths. <\/em>While communication skills may not be your child strength, there are bound to be areas that he is strong in.\u00a0 Use his strengths as an avenue to help him overcome shyness. If he loves math, allow him to join the math club at school in an effort to make new friends with common interests.\u00a0 If he is good at sports, be sure to enroll him in extracurricular activities that will allow him to get stronger in this area and in socializing.<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Praise successes. <\/em>If you notice your child making an effort to overcome his shyness, be sure to praise his behavior.\u00a0 Children want to please their parents. If you make a big deal out of him trying to be friendly, he is likely to continue the behavior. In contrast, be sure to point out times when he seems overly shy.\u00a0 Explain that although he is only being shy, it can come off as being distant or rude.<\/p>\n 8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Find the root of the problem.<\/em>\u00a0 Is being shy hereditary or is there some other reason why your child has a fear of people?\u00a0 Perhaps there is some reason why he doesn\u2019t want to socialize.\u00a0 If he is uncomfortable with the way he looks, he may be shy.\u00a0 Talk with your child and try to find out the reason he avoids building relationships with people. You may be surprised to find out why he doesn\u2019t like making friends.<\/p>\n Being shy is actually very normal.\u00a0 Many children have reserved personalities that classify them as being shy.\u00a0 If your child is struggling in this area, use the tips above to help him overcome his fears. As a parent, there are things that you can do to give your child the opportunity to learn to socialize.\u00a0 Begin by talking with your child and discovering the root of the problem.\u00a0 Do what it takes to help your child become the social butterfly that you know he can be. How will you help your child overcome his shyness?<\/p>\n Marina is SAHM of 2 kids and co-owner of a Christmas nesting doll<\/a> store located at MatryoshkaNestingDolls.com<\/a><\/p>\n