Thankfully there are a few things you can do to help your child:
1. Provide a routine for them
One of the most effective ways to help your child feel more secure is to create a routine that they can work with. Hopefully, as they start to feel more comfortable, you can gradually break up their routine.
2. Don’t force them
Don’t force your child to feel better; giving out and telling them what to do will just make them feel uncomfortable. Give them time to get used to their surroundings or familiarise themselves with new people. After a little bit of time, your child will generally come out of their shell.
3. Listen to them
The wonder of the listening ear! Allowing them to sit and talk about their insecurities can help them to recognise and understand their emotions and why they feel certain ways, without being told why. Having you sit and listen rather than lecturing will give them a chance to work their way through their issues.
4. Label their emotions, not them
Don’t label your child as being insecure or shy, they will eventually live up to this name. Instead, label emotions and explain why they are feeling them. For instance, if your child is scared about going to a new school, you can say: “I know you are feeling scared. We all feel a little worried when trying new things, and it is perfectly normal.”
5. Don’t try to belittle their fears
Never tell your child to just get over it or laugh when they try to hide behind you. While you might feel that this kind of attitude will help them, you are simply making them feel worse. Go back to point four and help them understand that their feelings are normal.
