Does your child have trouble facing an audience or mingling with peers in a party or meeting new people? Some children tend to be shy, but parents play an important role in helping their children connect with the world around them.

Children learn from their parents so it won’t help them if you are shy yourself. Are you hesitant to ask the clerk at a department store for help finding the things you need? Do you try to avoid meeting new people as much as possible? Do you find yourself a nervous wreck when you have to face an audience? If yes, it is likely that your child is picking up these characteristics from you so be confident enough and mingle with the people around you. Smile and be friendly towards everyone, take an initiative to meet new people while at a party or meeting, if you need anything don’t hesitate to ask the people concerned and don’t hesitate to pay compliments. These positive vibes will rub off on your children too.

As parents it is your duty to build your child’s social skills. Many parents tend to be over protective about their children and refuse to let them go out to play or join other kids in tier activities. The result may be of that their child will be a loner. A child’s social skills begin to develop from the time he is a baby. Take your baby with you when you go shopping or when you go for a walk so that he gets used to seeing other people and as he grows he will start interacting and bonding with them. Similarly, you can organize a play group for your child. Let the group consist of children of the same age as your child or younger ones. Plan for some activities they can do together. Limit the time though, because after an hour or so of play small children start to fuss. Encourage your children to participate in sports, dances, music concerts or anything else which interests them. You can also encourage them to go for camps, join the scouts and guides or join classes to learn a new skill. By doing so, your child will be interacting with other children, and soon your little one will find himself a bunch of pals.

Teach your children the basics of etiquette and practice it at home. Then your child will not feel awkward repeating the same gestures in public. Things like opening the door for others, helping someone with their bags, introducing themselves to others and being polite should come naturally to your child.

Sometimes, things like being bullied at school or being teased by friends can make a child upset and cause him to become an introvert. Identify whether your child is facing such problems and help him to cope. Talk to your child about his or her problem and offer suggestions on how to handle the situation.

An important point to remember is to never criticize or tease your children in front of others even when you are alone. This can create a deep impact on a child’s mind. For instance, your child may not be the best singer in the world but teasing his efforts at singing will only make him hesitant to try again. It is even more so when the teasing comes from his family. A lack of self confidence makes children shrink back from activities where they have to face others besides their familiar circle of friends and family.

Shyness is not a disorder or something that cannot be overcome. With a little help from your side, your child will be able to face the world with confidence.

Jonathan Pitts

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