shy kids: what to do?

You can't make him unshy, but you can help him deal with his shyness. Let him know that it's normal and okay to be shy-that some people are just that way. Expose him in small doses to other people, but allow him to interact at his own pace. Don't push him to get in front of big groups or converse with people he doesn't know well. Shyness isn't a bad thing. It's just a different way of relating to others. Shy kids are also often very sensitive and concerned about others. They can be great listeners and make really good friends. My 6yo is very shy. We've allowed him to work into things at his own pace and selected teachers for him who will do the same. He is thriving in school and is known as someone who cares about everyone else.

My son was very shy at 3 and 4. We started him in preschool at age 4 and by the middle of the year he had really come out of his shell. He wasn't shy with kids so much as adults. When he went to preschool he had to talk to his teachers and other parents when they came in to help. He is just finishing first grade and is extremely social. It is probably just a stage that your son is going through. One thing I learned with my son was to not push him to talk to people when he didn't want to. It just caused anxiety for him. I know that I was extremely shy until I was in 10th grade. . .it was just my personality. Maybe he will just be a quiet, reserved child. :-)

I am no expert at this - but I used to be shy myself. i know that focus upon me and my shyness made it worse.I think you should not focus so much on it - at least not let him know it worries you. I'd just bring him together with new people and find a way to include him through activities with them. Let him be a bit shy at first, but make sure you try to include him every now and then. Start activities that you know he is good at and that he likes. Maybe he will just grow out of it?

My daughter was just like your child. She wouldn't even look at people when they spoke to her, sh would hide behind me. I enrolled her in preschool and she had a very hard time going, but I didn't cave. I took her in the room, kissed her goodbye and left. After a few months, she started going in on her own. Once she hit kindergarden I told her teacher that she was very shy. After a couple of weeks, her teacher called me and said that she is not shy at all. She participates and talkes with all the children. I was so surprised to hear this. Now she is 7 and we can't stop her from talking to every and anyone.