- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- babies today articles
- babies today q&a
- toddlers today articles
- toddlers today q&a
- breastfeed.com articles
- breastfeed.com q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
The Shy Guy (or Girl)
Can Parents Help
Their Shy Toddler? By Sue Marquette Poremba
Overcoming Shyness The best way to do this is to gently ease the child into new situations. Janica Hardin, evaluation coordinator at theUniversity of Idaho Parents as Teachers Demonstration Project, suggests maintaining physical contact with 
your child by holding hands or carrying him until he asks to break away, which allows the child to become more comfortable with the surroundings.
Their Shy Toddler?
"In social situations, create a physical boundary, such as having the child at your side, so that you are somewhat in between the new acquaintance and your child," Hardin says. "Don't force the child to speak or make physical contact."
Hardin also suggests preparing the child in advance for any new situation. "A couple of weeks before the new event beginstalk to your child about the new routine," she says. "Include talking about the schedule, look at pictures of people who will be there, and learn their names."
Michele Borba, author of Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me: The Top 25 Friendship Problems and How to Solve Them (Jossey-Bass Publishers, 2005), suggests scheduling warm-up time. "Let her watch a bit, figure out what's up and set her own time frame to join in," she says.
Randy McCoy uses this approach when he works with toddlers as a gymnastics teacher at the Little Gym in Scottsdale, Ariz. "They need to feel like they are in control of the situation," McCoy says. He allows the children to get adjusted to the gym and to the gymnastics class at their own pace. He provides a safe area for them to explore if they choose, or they can just sit with their parents and watch the other children. When they are ready to participate, they are welcome to join in.
