How to Help Your Shy Preschooler Have Fun

Preschool is often a child’s very first experience with a school environment and can have a big impact on the years of education that lie ahead. While many kids find preschool to be a thrilling experience with fun games and new friends, some children may be shy and reserved. Although you want your child to be enthusiastic about their first years in school, it’s not uncommon for preschoolers to be wary. Since these young students are just beginning to learn how to interact with peers and participate in group activities, it can take some time before they feel comfortable with their new surroundings. When your child finds preschool to be strange and overwhelming, try these tips:

1. Talk with the Teacher

Preschool educators have plenty of experience working with reserved children. That’s why it’s important to stay in touch with the teachers and staff at your child’s preschool program. When you speak with the teacher, compare notes on how your child acts at school vs. home. Discuss what activities your child loves to do at home and find out if they are part of the classroom routine. Comparing information with your child’s teachers and looking for ways to help make the classroom an engaging and comfortable place can go a long way for helping shy children in school.

2. Bring their Interests to School

If your child has a favorite book or item that fascinates them, ask the teacher if they can bring it in for an informal show and tell. This is a great way for students who have a hard time with preschool participation feel a sense of belonging and share something with the class that they feel excited about. Often times, items from home can help melt away shyness and encourage your child to share with their class.

3. Set Them Up for Success

Your child may be avoiding things in their classroom because they feel like they can’t do them. If possible, make a trip to visit your child’s classroom and see what games, activities, and projects are a good match for your preschooler. If your child isn’t well coordinated with scissors or glue, suggest that they draw or paint instead. Teachers can be a great resource in these situations and can help simplify activities that are discouraging your children.

4. Encourage Them at Home

In some cases, preschoolers have an easier time understanding new concepts in an environment that is quiet and without the stimulation and pressure that a classroom can bring. Helping your young student with small motor skills like grasping a paint brush or scissors at home can help give them the confidence they need to try the new skill at school. Giving your child a chance to practice without the pressure can go a long way in reducing shyness in school.

Try not to be too concerned if your child seems to be more reserved at school than at home. Many preschool-aged children feel more comfortable doing parallel play alongside classmates and observing & imitating opposed to direct interaction. In the new social environment of school, children are beginning to test new ground, learn new rules and practice new behaviors, and it is a process that can take some time. If you’d like more advice or help with a shy preschooler, speak with our qualified educators at our Avalon Park preschool center. Our goal is to ensure your child is comfortable and safe in their academic                                   setting and we would love to help you with any concerns you may have.