Individual differences in how children interact in a social world go a long way in explaining why children differ so dramatically in their approach to new people and new things. Whilst some children approach these situations with boundless energy and curiosity, other children regard novel situations with hesitancy, trepidation and fear. Shyness is a well researched area in the literature with much attention being paid to the “nature versus nurture” argument with respect to the development of shyness. Shyness essentially is a particular style of interaction, characterised by difficulty in interacting in social situations and a tendency to take a long time to “warm up”.

Shy children differ in temperament to their outgoing friends, but with the appropriate supports in place, shy children usually manage the necessary childhood transitions successfully. Shyness can become problematic when the child’s confidence is so greatly affected that it impacts negatively on their everyday functioning and enjoyment of activities. Self-imposed social isolation is also another indicator that the child’s shyness is becoming detrimental.

If you have concerns about the extent to which your child’s shyness may be more indicative of anxiety, give Resilient Kids a call on (07) 3902 1973 to discuss further.