You asked

How do I help my toddler overcome his shyness?

You might feel that, because your toddler hides their head against your leg and is reluctant to try out new things, that they are shy. However, this might not be so at all.

Before, it was believed that shyness was caused by the type of environment that a child was exposed to. Today though, scientists have found that a child's basic temperament is inborn. In other words, some children are born to be outgoing and assertive, while others come into the world shy and reserved.

Your child is probably one of the latter type of children – he or she is naturally bashful, and will take time before trying out anything new.

There is a difference between shyness and separation anxiety though. If your toddler suddenly becomes more wary of strangers, and really doesn't like the idea of letting you out of their sight, then it is separation anxiety. Most children go through this phase between the ages of 7 and 18 months, some of them continuing this way until they are about three.

More questions

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Up to the age of three, your toddler will be over separation anxiety. However, as there are so many separations in the years of growing up – pre-school, a few days away at camp, and even your child’s first year at college, bouts of separation anxiety could very well occur from time to time all through your child’s life.
As long as your toddler has plenty of space and time to play, and practice all their new physical skills, they’re probably doing just fine with her development!
Toddlers are naturally curious about everything. Instead of stifling that curiosity, you should be making every effort to promote it!
Your child’s imagination is not only a source of fun – it’s one of his or her most important early learning tools.
Young children are emotional beings. The worst thing you can do is make them stifle those emotions. Teach them how to cope with them instead, and you’ll raise a well-adjusted child.
If you want your child to grow up with a strong spiritual foundation, it’s never too young to start teaching, but remember to teach by example.
For toddlers, as with older children and adults, happiness comes from inside, not from outside.

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