Parents can feel frustrated by the child’s behaviour and don’t know what they can do but because they are the most influential people in their children’s lives there are several things they can do to help. However this will also depend on the individual child.

The following suggestions may help:

• It is important not to label your child as shy because there is a tendency to live up to the labels we are given by others.

• Try to prevent other people labelling your child as shy either

• When your child is displaying shy behaviour be supportive and understanding instead of trying to cajole them out of it.

• Tell them about times when you have felt shy and what helped you to overcome it. Telling them about your experiences helps them to feel better and helps to reduce their anxiety

• Try to be outgoing and confident. Children learn from their parents behaviour and model that behaviour

• Work out coping strategies with your child and practice them by role playing situations, but make them interesting and fun.

• Discuss situations with your child as if you are talking to yourself – saying where you are going, what you are going to do, what it will possibly be like when you get there and how you will behave. Invite the child with you and have a chat about how it went when you come home.

• Encourage and support your child by noticing the small improvements in handling difficult situations, also comment on the things they do well. Positive comments such as ‘I liked the way you said hello’ will make all the difference to your child’s behaviour.