Helping Children Grow Out of Shyness

1. Take baby steps -Most young children eventually outgrow their fears, slowly learning to use logic to overrule their impulse to be scared. Help your child get used to being around things that cause anxiety, taking a slow and gentle approach in little doses that feel comfortable.

 

 2. Use your words-Children may not always understand everything you say, but your soothing voice and the fact that you’re not worried is hugely reassuring.  Dismissing concerns makes kids think you haven’t understood the problem. Saying something like, “You don’t like that noise—it’s scary,” gives kids words they’ll be able to use later, to understand and describe their feelings.   

 

3. Practice Relaxation-Relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga, deep breathing and calm music at various times throughout the day can help ease tension. (Example: Put your hand on your tummy and feel it going in and out, while you breathe through your nose.)

 

4. Map the Day-Having a clear road map of the day can help anxious children feel less stressed. For visual learners, it may be in the form of a picture schedule; for others, it is simply a verbal rundown of what to expect from the day.

 

5. Practice Positive Self-Talk-Positive self-talk can reduce anxiety in minutes. Repeated throughout the day, positive self-talk can help override worry. It can be as simple as: “I can do zippers. I am good at it.”  

 

Adapted from Anxiety BC®.Retrieved from:https://www.anxietybc.com/parenting/parent-child