How to Support Your Shy Little One

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Does your child often cling to the back of your legs while entering new places, afraid to let go when you leave? When you drop them off at a new activity or party, are they alone in the corner, unsure of how to go talk to new friends?

Navigating this can be such a heartbreaking experience because it’s your parental instinct to just hold onto them so they don’t have to be filled with anxiety. It may feel easier to avoid the experiences that you know might be hard, just so they don’t have to go through the ache of saying goodbye.

Instead of avoiding those tough experiences it can be really helpful to:

  • Give you child the support they need before entering new experiences

  • Ask them what they are feeling and where they feel it in their bodies (swirls in the tummy, racing heart, shaky hands?)

  • Provide them a preview of what will happen and when goodbye will take place

  • Allow them the experience to form connections with others, even if that means you have to do a warm hand off with another trusted adult

This is why groups like our Strong Kids Groups can be so helpful because this is such a safe, fun place to practice handoffs and forming new connections with others! Your child can connect with others who also experience what they do and this will improve their confidence greatly the next time you have to part ways! The more they are able to successfully manage new social situations, the easier it will feel, especially when September comes and they have to start school again or for the first time!

If your 5 or 6 year old could benefit from a fun, play-based group where they can learn new skills to help manage these big feelings, please click the button below to learn more!