Hobby to build confidence in shy 4 yr old?

[stillnotjustamummy]

DD1 is about to turn 4. She is quite a shy child and her speech isn't brilliant but we are working on it. She's not good in large groups or at following instructions and becomes stressed if she doesn't get something 'right' first time. Her younger sister is extremely able and confident & I think DD1 would benefit from a hobby that was just 'hers' to try and boost her confidence. What could I try her with?

Would she actually go though or find it too much? Ds1 was extremely shy at that age too and had speech issues he just wouldn't have gone and joined in at that age.
I never pushed him too hard but turned up to the opening of an envelope if he was invited to parties and things. Took him to weddings and at times he hated it. It was just as outside his comfort zone.
He would cling to me and I would let him for a few minutes then put him down promise him I wouldn't leave him but that he couldn't cling onto me the whole time.
There are many photos of him at parties sitting looking forlorn. It went on like that through nursery so for two years then at one party I put him down and he ran off to play.
I guess in a longwinded way I'm saying that it's good to push out their comfort zone but be wary of pushing too hard exdp did because he didn't want people to judge his parenting because ds was shy audit set him back months.
Ds1 is 9 now, still shy always will be but school made a huge difference to his confidence and has joined Cubs. He will push himself outside his comfort zone now at times because he realises people have way more fun joining in than sitting at the side.
I think and activity runs the risk of making her feel anxious unless it's something she really wants to do.

My daughter did ballet at this age - its mostly pointing toes and skipping so not difficult. The class wasn't very big but you'd have to watch out as some teachers are stricter than others in their style and she might not take well to that.

She's also done gymnastics which for the 4 year olds was a lot of bouncing and jumping.

Most of our local classes will let you do a try out before you commit so if she didn't like it then you wouldn't be wasting loads.

I was going to suggest ballet. Dd1 has absolutely blossomed with it and it has been great for her physically.

Dance, any kind. My daughter was extremely quiet/shy until she started dance. I watched her absolutely light up in her first lesson, it's given her so much confidence, plus she has no fear about performing in front of an audience. She still loves dancing, I hope she always will.

Thanks! I've found a weekend gymnastic club we can try so will give that a go. We tried ballet before but will give it another go with a different teacher as that might have been the problem- DD likes to freestyle!

DD can be a little like that and has gained enormous confidence from joining Rainbows (youngest Girl Guide chapter) It takes girls from 5 years old, so won;t be helpful for another year I'm afraid, but some groups are quite busy so you might need to get her name down early.

It has been especially helpful for DD because there is some overlap between the state primary she attends and the adults and children who form her Rainbows group. Her Reception teacher (last year) said she had noticeably grown in confidence after starting shortly after her birthday in April. It might be worth seeing what other local groups you have with similar overlap?

What about a martial art? Active, so that's good, and quite unique.
Confidence boosting in a different way as people never believe that young girls would do such a thing so it it a continual stream of 'Yes I can!'. Plus self defence also good for a different kind of confidence.

Great, gymnastics is also a good confidence builder, plus she'll maybe see older girls doing tricky stuff which helps motivate wee ones to keep going.

Both really good suggestions. I'll investigate Rainbows and martial arts, she is very dinky so having more physical confidence will be no bad thing!

I have always been a keen advocate of children being involved in music, and for twenty years as a TA, had recorder, Keyboard, and percussion clubs.

Your DD is an ideal age to start learning keyboard - a 'proper' 61 full size keys sort, not a toy one - and there are many introductory tutor books available, so a child can teach themselves the basics, with a little adult support if necessary. And if she enjoys it and makes progress, she could have lessons at some time in the future.