How do you help your shy child? Does the shy child even need to be helped? The standout quote for me from this article is that shyness is “one of the healthy, normal styles of being human.” Shyness, introversion, slow-to-warm-up temperament and anxiety are distinct states and traits, but they are sometimes all lumped together. To muddy the waters a bit, a generally introverted person may at different times in her life have bouts of shyness or anxiety. A person with a reserved personality may not be shy at all. Finding out what is going on – by listening – will direct parents and teachers how to relate to the “shy” child.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/to-help-a-shy-child-listen/?_r=0#

Claire is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with expertise in body-oriented psychotherapy.  She works as a Behavioral Health/EAP Consultant, providing workplace consultations to employers and assessment and referrals to clients.