How to Involve Shy Kids at Holiday Gatherings

Holiday parties are particularly difficult on shy children and their parents. Shy children can tend to feel excluded and parents can feel uptight about their child's discomfort. Here are a few things that will help reserved kids feel as though they are part of the group without putting undue pressure on them.

Involve children in the collecting of coats if the event is at your home. This allows the child to interact with each guest with no need to speak. Encourage children to hand out snacks and napkins and to help serve the meal.

As time goes on, you will find that the child begins to feel more comfortable and may feel brave enough to speak. Let your child know that you notice how brave and helpful he/she has been and how proud you are of them and how proud they must be of themselves. Ending each social gathering on a positive note encourages shy children to feel good about their behavior and gives them the confidence to take more and more social chances.

I was a shy child and raised a shy child of my own and have a website where I offer other tips and advice at www.dontcallmeshy.com.

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