Does anyone know if there are any support groups for children with chronic shyness? What I'd love is a support group where children of similar ages can meet in small groups and spend time together with gentle guidance from a trained adult. My daughter is 9 years old and really struggling at the moment. She is a wonderful girl and so sweet. She really would love a little group of friends or one close friend but as she is so shy, the kids in her class never get to see that side of her. She needs help building her confidence as she does not join in with conversations due to her lack of confidence and shyness. Some of the school kids in her class now consider her to be 'weird' and move away from her at the dinner table which breaks her heart. She is losing hope that things will change and is beginning to show signs of depression which is exacerbating her shyness.
So far I haven't seen anything and I am thinking if I should start something myself. We live in the North West. I'd love to hear parents' experiences and suggestions.