Shyness

[brummie2]

Daughter is in year 1. She is very shy at school. This was commented on in reception. Teacher has said she would like her to do Early Literacy Support to overcome shyness/ build confidence , but there is no space on the programme. Is it unreasonable to expect them to be helping her to overcome her shyness at school- she is very confident at home.I am unsure how I can help her when she is at school and am concerned she will fall behind .

Thanks

Yes it is reasonable to expect help. If it is having an effect on learning they should be helping. How shy is she. Does she read to them ? Answer the register ?

Yes she does read but they said she is "slow" and they feel this is a confidence issue. Despite this she always gets very good comments in her "reading record". They are banded and she is in second from top band. The teacher says she knows she is capable but that her lack of confidence is holding her back.
Thanks.

I would go in and ask what they are planning to do about it. They should be working on building her confidence in groups etc

Thanks. That's what I was planning to do as I think that's reasonable. Parents' evening is next week so will have all my questions ready!

Thanks again.

Mine were all like this BTW. The important thing is to remember not to let them make it your problem. If they say she is very shy at school don't apologise/feel like apologising put the problem back on them and ask them what they plan to do to help her. Lesson learnt here after years of worry here

Our school has been really supportive with my shy boys.
My youngest (currently Reception age) was in a nurture group last term. He is August born and was separated from his best friends from nursery and has benefited from the support.
My oldest had social speech therapy in Y1 and Y2 which helped him lots. He went from never answering questions to offering answers even though he wasn't sure if the answer was correct.

Thanks both- I will let you know how I get on!

i know this is from a few weeks ago but just wanted to say, 2 of my 3 DDs were very very shy, barely spoke, spoke extremely quietly, woulnt volunteer in class for anything, had friends though and did very well academically. Their shyness was in them, who they were, and to my regret as I feel I didnt treat it the best way, went on until they were 15/16, they are now 15 and 18 and both confident, lovely girls who are caring, polite and popular.
However, I think the reason their shyness became such a huge issue was because they were so so badly labelled as the shy child in the class and never given much help or confidence building. The school they are at was good, it pushed them and helped them socially but it took an approach that they tried to make the girls aware they were shy, which i now see was not the way to go- the girls became aware and then felt it was even harder to change their behaviour as everyone expected them to behave in a certain way etc.. A more nurturing, positive gentle approach is far more effective- praise goes a long long way and not making assumptions i.e. automatically speaking for them or assuming they woulnt like/want to do something and building it up!
I hope this helps a bit and yes it is the schools responsibility!

drama class might help