Toddlers are often unsure of themselves. As their bodies and minds develop, they find more and more things that they can do; unfortunately, they also find more and more things that they cannot do. While they are becoming more and more effective at communicating, they can also become extremely frustrated when they are unable to get their point across. One of the ways that some toddlers deal with these frustrations is by acting shy.

One way to encourage your shy toddler is to help to build their confidence. You want to make them feel good about themselves. Give them praise when they do well, especially when they do well is a social situation. Give them compliments. Shy toddlers (and shy adults, too) often feel insecure about the way that they look. Tell your young girl that she is your beautiful princess, or your little boy that he is a handsome young man.

Encourage your toddler to say “hello” to new people. After saying hello, your toddler might revert back into shyness, but being able to say “hello” to a new person is a small step in the right direction.

When a child does act shy, don’t dismiss them or pretend that they are not there. Instead, try to engage them. Turn the conversation around to a topic they will enjoy, such as their favorite television program or their favorite play activity. When a child who has been acting shy does socially engage, give them your full and undivided attention. Reward their efforts with praise.

Encourage your toddler to engage in small group play. by playing with just two or three friends, they will build their social confidence. Sometimes, for older children, it helps them to play with younger children who might look up to them just a bit. This boosts their self-esteem and confidence.

As your toddler gets older, you can more likely talk with them about social situations that might be difficult. You might be able to uncover and address specific fears that they may have that lead to their shyness.

Posted in Baby and Toddler

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