10 Signs of a Timid Child and What You Should Do About It

This little one can be a total chatterbox with family but goes completely silent around strangers. If your child clams up, it can be for a good reason — kids know that you have certain expectations for how they should act with formal introductions and sometimes feel uncomfortable under pressure. This situation also sends mixed signals because we tell kids not to talk to strangers but also expect them to be warm when meeting people for the first time.

This is the child that can be their own worst critic and undervalues their own self-worth. If your child suffers from low self-esteem, play the devil's advocate with them and offer them a different — and even optimistic — perspective on the situation. These negative and self-critical comments will lessen as their self-image improves.

Whether your child does everything in their power to avoid the unfamiliar or gives up on a new task as soon as they get the least bit frustrated, this isn't always because your little one is being lazy or difficult. To a kid with a fear a failure, it's better to quit than to fail trying. To combat this problem, try asking them for help with a simple project — showing that you have confidence in their ability is the first step in building their self-trust. When they see themselves excelling in a new situation, they'll be more willing to try out new roles on their own.

Whether they have a hard time making eye contact when asking a question or barely speak at an audible volume, these kids need some reassurance when it comes to their social skills. Work together to build their comfort level with specific goals by practicing together. Once your child feels comfortable doing it at home and then with family, he or she will be more comfortable using this new skill set around new people.

If you notice that your child is always holding back out of fear of what the others will think or because they worry that they aren't good enough, their internal comparisons are hindering their social growth. Put an end to this unwarranted sibling or classmate comparison by making a focused effort to boost their self-worth. Also acknowledge that insecurities are a normal part of life and teach them that facing their fears will build their confidence.

These are the children who are highly affected by the environment around them. Help your little one by noticing and acknowledging their needs. Creating a safe and nurturing environment will teach your child how to calm themselves and manage their internal reaction to situations. This will allow their sensitive side to become an asset as they grow — they'll be the friend who is more responsive to others' needs and can negotiate social situations among peers.

This child avoids social settings out of fear of any situation involving the unknown. Empathize with your child's concerns and verbally work through them instead of shaming them for their worries. Acknowledge their discomfort — the more they think something is wrong with them or the situation, the more reserved they will act.

If any of these signs ring true to your child, here are some helpful tips to change their timid behavior for the better.

• Continue introducing and encouraging new experiences. While you don't want to force them to immediately jump right in, being isolated can make their anxiety worse. Teach them how to cope with new experiences by slowly pushing them outside of their comfort zone. Start with compromises at first, like staying near them during new situations while they build their confidence.
• Role play and read helpful books together. This will help kids feel more comfortable with what to do in a variety of situations. Working on their fears is essential in learning skills and helping to manage anxiety.
• Gradually help them build independence. By setting them up for success with certain tasks, you can build their self-esteem and willingness to take on more responsibility outside of their comfort zone.
• Take the pressure away by letting your child just be themselves. Teach them that it's OK to be more reserved but that doesn't mean they can't also be confident. Ensure them that they don't have to worry about always being "interesting" as long as they learn how to be interested in their friends.
• Don't push them in introductions with strangers or make them feel embarrassed when they don't greet new people how you'd ideally like them to. Allow them to be shy if need be and then practice another time in a comfortable environment.
• Don't explain away their shyness — the more you make excuses or label them as "shy" the more they'll think something is wrong with them. Try humblebragging to other adults in front of your kiddo — just hearing positive encouragement and agreement from other adults can sometimes go further than praise from their own parents.