Experts give their tips:
Don't tell them they're shy - they start to think they can avoid social situations because mum thinks they're shy.
Find out what they fear - use open questions to find out what exactly it is about the situation - such as putting their hand up in class - that frightens them. "Why are you worried? What do you think will happen?" "Can you imagine anything else that happens instead?
Don't try to talk them out of their shyness - perhaps they might stand up in class and show something with no expectation of saying anything, then the next time they might talk a bit. Praise any effort.
Be careful with reassurance - "It's ok, mummy's here.They need to learn for themselves that they can cope.
Don't let them avoid social situations.
Use rewards and praise.
Train them to shift attention from physical discomfort - "Encourage them to shift their attention from inside the body - their hot face or their heart beating - to an external focus, such as the person they are talking to. You can train them to look at things in their classroom when talking aloud, rather than being distracted by their own feelings."