How To Help Your Shy Child Gain Confidence

It’s not uncommon for children to be a bit shy sometimes. After all, the world is big and new. Meeting new people can be exciting but a bit scary, and anything that breaks away from their comfort zone can cause them to be hesitant to open up.

But, many children overcome those feelings quickly. Some are extremely outgoing and open, while others are confident enough to talk about themselves and be “center stage” for a while without retreating.

If your child still struggles with shyness, that’s okay. It simply might take them a bit longer to develop self-confidence. But there are things you can do to help and encourage them along the way. The more confident they are, the more likely they will feel comfortable in front of others.

So, how can you help your shy child gain confidence?

Praise Their Strengths And Contextualize Their Weaknesses

Offering praise is a great way to build your child’s self-esteem. Of course, praising them for the things they’re good at is easy and important. It can encourage them to hone their skills and even help them find different paths of interest.

But it’s just as important to help them understand and navigate their weaknesses. If they struggle with certain things, let them know it’s okay. Help them think around problems that have them feeling stuck or insecure. Let them know that their performance does not define them. Remind them they are strong, brave, and kind and that you love them no matter what.

Be A Positive Role Model

Your child looks to you for everything. Even if it doesn’t feel like they’re observing you, they are.

So, be a strong role model when it comes to displaying confidence. Don’t put yourself down in front of them, and use positive self-talk and affirmations. Don’t give up on difficult things too quickly; be gentle with yourself when you make mistakes.

Foster Positive Self-Talk

It will be easier for your child to understand positive self-talk when they see you do it. But it’s still important to teach and encourage them to incorporate it into their self-care practices.

That’s why open communication is so important when you’re trying to build confidence. It’s about more than just having a single talk with your child and letting it go. There should be an ongoing conversation about their feelings and what you can do together to boost their esteem.

Positive self-talk doesn’t always come naturally to everyone. It is essential to keep the conversation ongoing with your child, teach them about positive affirmations, and how to say encouraging things about themselves. Allow them to make it a part of their routine, whether it’s first thing in the morning or a journal at night before they go to bed.

Encourage Problem-Solving

It’s not uncommon for children to struggle with confidence when they feel like they can’t do something.

While it’s important to remind them that they can do hard things, it might be even more important to give them the tools to show them how to do those things.

Encourage problem-solving skills. If your child faces a challenge or difficulty, you don’t have to rescue them immediately. But you can help them work through it, giving them the skills necessary to overcome those challenges on their own. The ability to work through a problem in life can go a long way in building confidence and reducing stress.

If your child is still struggling with confidence, having them talk to someone is often worth it. Therapy can help you both understand why they might have confidence issues while providing even more helpful strategies to break through their shy demeanor. Feel free to contact me to schedule a consultation and learn more about Child Therapy.