A guide to help support a shy child and find out if it is actually an issue

Social gatherings could pose a threat to a shy child, especially if it’s a new place

That being said, here’s a guide to supporting your shy child

Shyness could be a personality trait. Identify the type of shyness your child is facing before labelling it as a problem

Your child’s surroundings can play an important role, and he or she needs to be comfortable before adapting to the surrounding

Dubai-based Educational Psychologist, Dr Diksha Laungani

There is no particular age for a child to be shy. It always depends on biological and environment factors

Dominant parents tend to have shy kids

Traumatising your child can result in long-term effects and shyness could gradually turn into something more complex

If you are shy as a parent, chances are your child will be shy too

Dependent children struggle to adapt to their surroundings

Children with hearing impairments or autism would find it harder to respond

Sometimes, children choose to be quite. This is known as selective mutism

Neglecting your child or not listening to their needs and wants could send them into a spiral of shyness

“Pace yourself. Gradually extend your child’s social circle by getting them to take up one activity a month, or prepare them for big plans prior to the actual date by chatting with them about it in a non-threatening manner,” says Dr. Laungani.

You can maybe say, “Say hello to auntie, she’ll be happy because she loves seeing you happy” instead of “If you say hello to auntie, I will buy you anything you want.”

The point is to not use ‘shy’ as a derogatory term, because it would make your child feel like he or she has a problem and that’s what’s “wrong” with him or her.

Parents themselves are good resources, so your child’s shyness could be eased out over time as they follow what you do and how you behave in a social gathering.

Low self-esteem, confidence and self-worth could cause your child to form a shell around themselves. It could also be a problem, if your child’s shyness is bordering on social anxiety.

Perfectionists are focused on getting things right in one go rather than doing things right in steps

A demotivated and shy child could be a sign that it’s more than just a personality trait

Meeting counsellors could help, and if not, then seek mental health professionals and therapists