Shyness in children is considered to be something that is hard to overcome and is seen as an obstacle or a trait that needs to be fixed so that it somehow helps a child to succeed, whether academically, socially, or emotionally. However, shyness or being introverted comes with its own set of benefits and difficulties. Understanding and resolving the difficulties along with encouraging and appreciating the qualities can help parents, teachers, and well-wishers support introverted children more efficiently. Let’s get into more detail about the benefits and challenges.
Benefits of Being Shy
- Deep Thinkers and Observers:
Shy children are gifted with the natural ability to observe their surroundings and think and untangle what they see or notice. This sort of capability leads to a greater understanding of complex situations and issues along with the ability to notice and appreciate little things.
- Empathy and Sensitivity:
Introverted children are tilted toward more of an empathetic and sensitive personality in terms of acknowledging other people’s feelings and emotions, which can lead them to create more meaningful yet strong relationships as they grow older.
- Focused and Independent:
Children who are introverted tend to focus on independent activities more and like to spend their time alone with hobbies that only involve them. This leads to the development of a variety of skills without getting easily distracted because they aren’t interested in things that involve a lot of people. This factor can be advantageous for them in both their academic and personal lives.
Challenges of Being Shy
- Social Anxiety:
Social anxiety is the main obstacle for children who feel shy because it may make them feel uncomfortable in a situation that is new to them or makes them feel odd in some way. Shy children feel like they don’t fit in and are the odd ones out which makes them avoid social interactions or large gatherings. This thing can eventually make it harder for them to take the opportunities on time.
- Misunderstood by Others:
One of the most misunderstood facts about shy children is that they aren’t friendly or interested in anything, which is completely a myth because it’s just physically and mentally impossible for them to get out of their comfort zone. This misconception leads to a lack of inclusion among people or any group activities.
- Limited Participation:
Shy children tend to avoid participation in classrooms, activities, and even group settings even when they are good at it or know answers to questions that are being asked, and this can affect their skills in fully engaging in any learning process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, shyness isn’t something to be afraid of, but it is rather something that can bring out other hidden qualities in a child and can be improved with the passage of time. So, if your child is a little shy and you want to learn about their behavior then “Goodbye Shy, Hello Sky” by Janas Jackson is a must-have. Goodbye Shy, Hello Sky is an inspiring and colorful story of a shy little girl named “Cassie” who learns to break through her clouds of shyness to find her own voice, purpose, and confidence. A highlight of the book is a short poem that serves as a tool to help children soar above shyness and see the bright skies of their potential and purpose.
Available on Amazon.