Nuturing a Shy Child: How to Help Your Child Bloom

Having a shy child doesn't mean she's doomed to a life of isolation and loneliness. My youngest daughter inherited my extreme shyness, now she's almost 16, and has grown into a confident young woman. Here are some ways that worked for me, to help nurture your shy child and watch her bloom.

Nurturing A Shy Child: Use Your Experiences

A way to nurture a shy child is to tell her about times in your life when you felt nervous or shy. My daughter loved to hear about my experiences growing up. It was, and is, fascinating to her to hear about my childhood. She knows I understand exactly how she feels because I've felt the same way.

Nurturing A Shy Child: Don't Reinforce the Shyness

Telling others in front of your child that she is, "just shy," is reinforcing the shyness. Take teachers and parents to the side to explain things. This is a way to help and nurture her without reinforcing the shyness. My daughter talked a mile a minute at home, but barely opened her mouth in school.

Nurturing A Shy Child: Praise Her Behavior

One way to nurture a shy child and build confidence, is to give lots of praise. When she gives her name without prompting, tell her you're proud of her. I'd say to my daughter, "That was very good. You made a new friend." Talk to a child and include her in the conversation. Help a shy child by saying, "I love your shirt with a fairy on it. Do you like fairies?" Turn to your child and ask, "You like fairies too don't you?" I used both of these tactics and it worked every time.

Nurturing A Shy Child: See A Counselor

Sometimes a child's shyness can be so disabling, that it interferes with her performance in school. It can also result in self-isolation. Not long after my daughter entered the sixth grade, we received a note from the school counselor. Her inability to interact with other kids was very noticeable and teachers grew concerned. Between nurturing my shy child at home and giving her extra encouragement, she began to bloom before year's end.

Have patience, expose your shy child to new situations often, and give her lots of love to nurture a shy child's self-confidence. Your shy child will begin to bloom into a girl who does better in school and is more social with other children.