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woodleywonderworks Kids display an amazing mix of social skills and styles. Some kids like to have one or two close pals, while others feel at home in a big group of friends. Most kids eventually find their niche in the social scene. However, learning social skills can be challenging for children with extreme personality traits.
The child who is shy, anxious, and emotionally sensitive, for example, struggles to make friends and is easily hurt when someone rejects or ignores her. She worries more than most kids her age, but she may hold her anxiety inside. Her behavior may worry you, but there are steps you can take to help her become more confident and outgoing.
If your child is shy and anxious, try these tips to nurture her social confidence:
- Help her open up and express her feelings. Listen carefully, and try not to judge or “gloss over” her fears. As you discuss the specific things that make her anxious, you may be able to correct some of her misperceptions and misunderstandings.
- Empathize with her. If you were a shy, anxious, and lonely child, share those memories with her. Explain how you've handled teasing, shyness, and social anxiety throughout your life. Knowing that you’ve been able to cope with (and move beyond) many of your fears and feelings will comfort and inspire her.
- Gently nudge her out of her comfort zone and into the social scene. Start small, but help her explore opportunities to make new friends in emotionally safe situations. For example, if she enjoys art projects, does your local recreation department offer small art classes for kids her age?
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