Painfully shy at two years old?

[emkana]

ds is extremely shy in big gatherings and when meeting people he doesn't know, it really is extreme, and I'm wondering if anybody else's two year old is like this? I only seem to meet people whose children are all outgoing and smiley...

DD would go to anyone when she was tiny, but she's getting shier as she gets older - she's just two.

my dd was like this - and still is -she is nearly 9!

Mine is completely like this. I sometimes wonder why I bother with toddler groups, he loves being at home most.

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buy this book

There is a difference between a child that is shy and a child that is sensitive. I bought the book and was amazed at how much of it was true for dd2.

The book gives you handy tips on how to deal with your child and how to help them deal with situations where they feel out of control and go "shy"

It has really helped us with dd2 and at almost four, she is still ridiculously shy in anyone else's eyes, but we can see SUCH an improvement and have high hopes for the future.

good luck.

xx

My dd was like that at 2 would`nt leave my side play with other kids and a bit of a loner even at nursery Because of her shyness

She then started to leave my side to go and play with or where her Big brother was

She is now 5 and is getting better she mixes well and has friends mostly boys but thats cos she has a older brother and prefers tag and footie in the playgound

My ds is outgoing and will talk and mix with anybody
My dd is the complete opposite and wont speak to anybody she doesnt know and would be same in large gatherings

I was like that and was still shy at school, but became social and confident as an adult. Dd was also shy as a toddler (though not as bad as me) and is a very sociable 11yo. My niece used to scream hysterically when meeting strangers but is now out partying and having a good time.

So don't push it, give her time.

My dd is like this still at nearly 3. I don't go to groups - just to friends with children she she knows well. She goes to nursery though. Every time they move room it's a nightmare. I'm switching to a CM soon and I hope that will be better.

My daughter was very shy at two and has grown out of it (she's nearly 6). I referred to her as being "quite reserved" recently and someone who's only known her a few months looked at me like I was mad. I hadn't really noticed how much she's changed.

Some things that have helped:

We used to meet my NCT group weekly. All the other children were very boisterous and she used to seem incredibly shy by comparison. Eventually I realised that she really wasn't enjoying being there and stopped meeting with the other children. We started playing with a couple of other, much quieter children that she liked and she really blossomed.

We chose a nursery that was reasonably lively, but quite structured so that it wasn't a complete free for all. She gradually grew in confidence while she was there.

I've never tried to push her into things she's not ready for. Even when it means being the only mummy who stays at the party, or her being the only child that doesn't join in a game. I hated being made to join in as a child and didn't want her to feel the same. She joins in now!

Possibly most significantly, her Reception teacher had a magic touch and school has made her into a changed child!