Treatment and Management of Shyness in Children

Treatment and Management of Shyness in Children

Research and studies have found that shyness in children could be due

to genetic, temperamental, and environmental influences (Jaffe, 1991,

p. 270, & Zimbardo 1995, p. 56). This paper aims to discuss the types

of shyness, the influences on shyness, the difference between normal

and problematic shyness. Lastly, strategies will be presented to help

the shy child.

The basic feeling of shyness is a common problem not only among

children but also among adults. According to Zimbardo (1995, p.56-57)

and Jaffe (1995, p. 270), shyness is a mix of emotions, including fear

and interest, tension and pleasantness. A shy child may display in

his/her behaviour a downward gaze, physical, and verbal reticence.

That is he/she will try to avoid eye contact or withdraw slightly or

totally when being touched or talked to. The speech is often soft,

almost inaudible, and at times, very hesitant.

Shyness is very often a mistaken and misunderstood emotion. It ought

to be distinguished from two related behaviour patterns: wariness and

social disengagement. It is very normal that young infants are very

wary of strangers as it is a time that attachment to familiar faces of

caregivers are very important during this period of growing and

trusting in the surrounding physical and human environment

(Gonzalez-Mena, & Widmeyer Eyer, 2001, p. 77).

For older children who may prefer solitary play and appear to have low

needs for social interaction, would usually not experience the

emotional tensions of the genuinely shy child (Van Hoorn et al, 2003,

p. 242-243, & Cohen et al, 1987, p. 80).

Children ...

... middle of paper ...

...docId=5000962656&offset=1.

(July

12, 2004).

Feldman, R.S.(2003). Essentials of Understanding Psychology. 5th ed.

USA:

McGraw Hill.

Gonzalez-Mena, J. & Widmeyer Eyer, D. (2001). Infants, Toddlers, and

Caregivers. 5th ed. USA: Mayfield Publishing Company.

Hendrick, J. (1992). The Whole Child. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan

Publishing

Company.

Jaffe, M.L. (1997). Understanding Parenting. 2nd ed. USA: Allyn &

Bacon.

Reid, B., & Vans, S. (1989). In J. Valsiner, (Ed.). Child development

in cultural

context (pp.199-218). Toronto: Hogrefe Inc.

Van Hoorn, J., P.M. Nourot, Scales, B., & Alward, K. R. (2003). Play

at the

Center of the Curriculum. 3rd ed. New Jersey: Pearson Education.

Zimbardo, P.G. (1995). Shyness: What it is? What to Do about it? USA:

Perseus Publishing.