A shy child who fears new people
Shyness is part of temperament, not a flaw. Give your child time to warm up, move in small steps, and new people will gradually feel less scary.
What you may notice
- Your child hides behind you or goes quiet when guests arrive.
- When an unfamiliar adult asks a question, they answer very quietly or say nothing.
- In class they rarely put their hand up, even when they know the answer.
- In a new group they watch from the side for a long time before joining in.
- At home with the family, they are cheerful and chatty.
The rest of this guide is for subscribers
Possible reasons, step-by-step actions, what to avoid, how to use your child's strengths, and when to see a specialist.