How Can You Help Your Child to transform from Shyness to Confidence?

Most children feel shy from time to time in their childhood and that’s quite normal, but things become a matter of concern if the child suffers from extreme shyness. If they are not encouraged and helped to overcome their shyness, they may grow up to be shy and under confident adults. Constant shyness can reduce the quality of a child’s life in many ways, including:

·         Reduced opportunities to develop or practise social skills,

·         Reduced their participation in fun and rewarding activities that require interaction with others, such as sports, dance, drama or music.

·         They have fewer friends and may suffer from feelings of loneliness, unimportance and reduced self-esteem.

·         Reduced ability to reach full potential because of their fear of being judged.

·         Suffers from high anxiety levels and may exhibit embarrassing physical effects such as blushing, stammering and trembling.

Today CounsellorShivani Misri Sadhoo shares tips for parents on how they can help their child to overcome their shyness.

1. Always let your child, finish his / her sentences. 

Sometimes parents unaware-ly jump in and suggest kids with sentences and ideas, if they witness their child is struggling to complete the sentences. This doesn’t help your child’s to learn effective communication and in places where they don’t find their parents to help them complete their sentences, they lack the confidence to speak.

2. Avoid criticism. 

If a child receives criticism from his/her family and parents that almost guarantees that they will gradually try to remain silent if they are been formally asked anything – an inner defence mechanism to avoid being judged and getting criticised.

3. Listen. 

It’s natural for children to want to share, especially with people whom they trust. If your child feels that sharing with you is “safe” (i.e., they won’t get criticised or interrupted, and they can take their time to finish their sentences), watch them open up. Watch their personality begin to blossom.

4. Praise. 

I can’t emphasise on this enough: validate your child when he or she says something that’s praise-worthy. We all love compliments. And when we get them, it feels so good that we want more. This means we’re motivated to keep doing whatever earned us the praise in the first place. That’s a great confidence-builder.