How Do You Encourage A Shy Toddler To Play?
Many toddlers experience moments of shyness, however, for some toddlers, this is not just a phase, but a part of their developing personality. While being shy is not necessarily a bad thing, it can make children feel lonely. Unfortunately, overcoming shyness is not an easy task for a toddler to do alone. Therefore, parents should take steps to encourage their child to interact with other children. Validate your child’s emotions. If your child expresses fear of social situations, don’t minimize his concerns. If he expresses anxiety say, “I understand that you’re not feeling good about going to Johnny’s.” Avoid saying things like, “Oh, you’re just being silly.” Set up play dates for your child. Select the children carefully, avoiding aggressive or overly dominant children. Sometimes playing with younger children is helpful for a shy child. Practice or role play interactions with your child while playing with dolls or stuffed animals. Simulate situations such as being at a party with kids
