Today a friend’s three year old child looked terrified to be around people. He clung to his mom and did not want her to leave. Another friend’s 4 year old child was in no mood to converse and only wanted to be near her mom. My three year who appeared to be happy before we entered church became shy, began to suck her thumb, and wanted to be carried once we entered. All of the children are more than familiar with church but they were all acting shy or scared today. It seems most children go through a shy phase every now and then especially in the toddler and preschool years. I was a shy child. All of my children went through shy phases. It can be frustrating for a parent when a child who once was fun loving and happy to left in the care of others turns shy and cries for you not to leave or wants to be carried around. What is going on?
Minor life transitions may seem easy to deal with for us but it may be major for a small child. Did you recently move from a crib to the toddler bed? Did you recently move to a new home? Are you working a different shift? Is there something going on in the home? All of these reasons can lead to a season of shyness. Perhaps the child is just slow to warm up or by nature introverted. Regardless shyness does not need to be seen as a problem. There is no need for discipline or forcing the child in uncomfortable situations. Logically that will only make a child shier. The best approach is gentle and to talk to your child about what to expect when going into new situations. You may want to rehearse different situations to prepare your child. Most children who are shy are fine and well adjusted. They will either grow out of it or be more reserved by nature.