Does your child tend to raise a ruckus at home, but then appear to be timid or clam up in social situations?
Many parents express concern when their kids seem to suffer from shyness, often out of fear that they will trail behind in social development. However, while childhood shyness is a frequent concern amongst parents, most psychological studies suggest that it’s also a very common and persistent trait.
The good news is that there are also plenty of strategies available to encourage children to come out of their shells and gain more confidence. In this blog, we’ll review some general tips for parents to help their shy kids become more engaged and confident, as well as some fun kids activities that can help spark their more expressive or creative sides. Keep reading to learn more.
General Tips for Parents With Shy Children
With enough patience and preparation, there are a multitude of ways for parents to help their children learn how to manage social situations and develop stronger connections with their peers. Some of the most effective ways for parents to achieve this include:
Avoiding Intervention
If you’ve noticed that your child struggles to socialize and make friends with other children at a playground or in another social setting, you might feel compelled to step in and help direct them. However, your child will have a difficult time learning how to manage their frustrations and the ability to deal with their current situation, which is an important skill that will encourage them to be more outgoing as they get older.
Being an Active Listener
Children are always more likely to open up and share their experiences with the people they trust the most. As their parents, this will most likely be you.
Therefore, be sure to always be an active listener of your child’s stories, sentences, and other expressions. Over time, this can help them to feel more comfortable with outward self-expression around others.
Preparing Them for New Situations
For shy kids, trying new things can feel nerve-wracking. A great way to help your child warm up to new situations is to talk them through any scenarios beforehand. Consider comparing a new or scary situation to something they have successfully tried (and enjoyed) in the past as a means of calming their nerves and familiarizing them.
Starting Small
Most shy children gradually warm up to social situations when they are exposed to new things one step at a time. Exposing them to too many people and changes at once can feel overwhelming.
Consider using the “factorial approach,” which is a technique where just one or two things at a time are changed or introduced. This can include encouraging socialization with one playmate and then waiting until they are comfortable before introducing any other peers into a playgroup. Be sure to start small, go slowly, and give your child time to adjust to each step.
Activities to Encourage Socialization
There are also many activities that can help spark confidence in shy children and boost their confidence in social spaces. Some of the best places for icebreaker activities include:
Indoor Playgrounds
Indoor playgrounds provide an excellent space for collaborative activities, continued contact, and healthy interaction. As such, they’re a great place for shy kids to experience different situations and feel more comfortable opening up.
Day Camps
Day camps are usually packed with a myriad of fun-filled activities for children with various different personality types, interests, and preferences. Many activities in day camps are designed to further social engagement and encourage kids to problem-solve collaboratively, such as crafts, cooking, drama, swimming, and sports. The continuity of a day camp program is also a great way to make shy kids feel more comfortable exploring new activities and forming friendships.
Outdoor Games
Being indoors with other peers can sometimes feel overwhelming for shy kids, which is why outdoor games are also a great way for them to ease their tension and warm up to others. Backyards or parks are a perfect setting for children to be creative and participate in games that require more personal contact. Various outdoor games can include tag, hide and seek, sports, dance, creative pretend play, and much more.
Schedule Your Next Playdate at Jumbaloo Today!
Our team at Jumbaloo Playgrounds is thrilled to finally be open and ready to host your child’s next big playdate! With a wide range of ways to exercise and have fun, our indoor playground is inclusive, safe, and open for children of all personality types.
To book your next party at Jumbaloo, call us at 905-785-3990 or visit our contact page to fill out our online form. We look forward to hosting your next playdate!
