How to Help a Shy Child in School
Shyness is experienced by many adults and children. The shy person might feel a little timid in front of others and could even feel self-conscious. Shyness can hamper a child's school experience if he is afraid to ask questions and his schoolwork suffers. He could end up hating school. But there are things you can do to help a shy child in school. Take some time and intervene now. The shy child just needs a little more attention, and hopefully in time he will feel less self-conscious and more happy with himself.
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Instructions
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Watch the child carefully. Some children suffer from social anxiety, which is more serious than just shyness. The child might feel physically ill at the thought of interacting with the teacher or other students. The child might be extremely withdrawn and never make eye contact. So keep an eye on children who you are concerned about.
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Provide positive reinforcement. Speak to the child privately. Let her know how well she is doing in certain areas. Encourage her to speak up in class whenever she has questions. Tell her how proud you are of her efforts in class.
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Speak to the parents of the child. Let the parents know any concerns you might have. Perhaps you and the parents can come up with a plan to help the child.
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Do activities to encourage social skills. You can split the class into groups. Teach them how to introduce themselves and how to show eye contact. Do not point out the shy child. Everyone should have a chance to do some role-playing.
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Encourage the child to join an activity. Activities can help a shy child become more comfortable in social settings. Let him know you think he would do well in a particular activity, such as tennis. According to clinical psychologist Eric Fisher, "Athletics offer interaction with other kids and can really boost self esteem."
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Pair the child with an outgoing student. Have them sit near each other. The outgoing student might help the shy child come out of her shell. The shy child could make a new friend as well.
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References
- Photo Credit shy teen girl with freckles image by Galina Barskaya from Fotolia.com
