How can my extremely shy child cope with school? There are several indications that your little one has a shy temperament. They may be weary of strangers; they may not want to spend time with other kids; they may cling to you in familiar and unfamiliar settings. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this but it can be a worry for you as a parent when the time comes that you do need to separate from your little one. School, for example, can be especially challenging for a shy student as it can be hard for them to find their comfort zone. If you are concerned about how your shy child will handle school, then the tips below can help:

Teachers Are on Your Side

Teachers are trained to understand that every child is different. They are taught to understand where they are coming from and that this situation can be hard on them. You may wish to talk to your child’s teacher about their temperament but most teachers will be able to spot a shy student right away. And most know how to handle it. When dealing with a shy student, a teacher should tread lightly. This means not drawing attention to them right away or putting them on the spot. Your child’s teacher should know better than to call your child to the front of the class during the first week or directly ask them the answer to a question in front of the class.

All classrooms are different and so are the students. While some students are automatically chatty, outspoken and overly friendly, others are quite the opposite. Your child’s teacher will hopefully respect their different personalities and help them come into their own. Have faith that your child’s teacher will do what is in her best interest to help them come out of their shell, gradually. If you are concerned that the teacher’s tactics are not working, then talk to them about it.

Preparing Your Child

Your child is going to need a lot of reassurance when it comes to going to school, so try to put yourself in their shoes. They will be out of their comfort zone and away from you. They will feel out of place and uncomfortable. However, as much as you want to protect them, you can’t keep them away from school forever. It is important that you both work through your fears together and talking about what happens at school will help them to understand the environment. You may wish to play school with your child in the weeks leading up to the big day. Take turns being the student and the teacher and use dolls and teddy bears as the different students. Rent some DVD’s and read books that discuss going to school. You may even want to visit a school together for an hour or so to get them used to the setting. Furthermore, encourage play time with other kids through playgroups and other social settings.

Your child probably has a special blanket or doll that they use as a comfort and coping mechanism. If the item is not too big, you can always suggest that they bring it with them and puts it in their school bag. Or, consider giving your child something special (and small) of yours to take to school, such as a bracelet or a small figurine. Tell them that anytime they feel scared or nervous, to look down or touch the item. This can help them feel a little less uneasy about heading into a new environment on their own.