7 ways to help a shy toddler feel more confident

Your shy tot might hide in your lap the first time you take him to a playgroup. But, says Koraly, it is important not to give up. ‘He might not engage in any of the games, or with any of the other children, but resist the urge just to swoop him up and never take him back,’ she says.

Neither should you cajole or pressure him to join in. Just let him sit with you, and go back the next week, and then the next. ‘Maybe next time he’ll get a little closer to the group,’ says Koraly. ‘Perhaps by the fourth visit, he’ll say hello to the other kids.’

Children learn through playand social interaction, so it’s important to keep giving him these opportunities to be with his peers, gently introducing him to the idea that he is safe, and there is nothing to be scared of.

If your little one is shy during play dates at other people’s houses, try taking one of his toys along. ‘It can act as a buffer,’ says Koraly, ‘the other child might take interest in the toy, and then social interaction happens almost incidentally.’

Little figures, like dolls in a doll’s house or animals on a farm, can help your little one practise social situations and play out any anxieties she might have. ‘It can be really helpful as a stepping stone towards more social play,’ says Koraly.

There are lots of great children’s books that explore the feelings of shyness. As you cuddle up and read them to your little one, remember to stop and ask him how the characters might be feeling.
Try to use new words like ‘nervous’ or ‘wobbly’. Just having the words to describe his own feelings is very empowering, as is knowing that other people – or characters – have felt the same way and been okay.

M&B recommends: Little Miss Shy, £3.99, Amazon

‘Pre-school is one of the best natural laboratories for children to manage their shyness,’ says Koraly.

Studies have repeatedly shown that shy children who go to nursery or day care become less anxious. ‘The trouble is that small children can’t grasp abstract ideas like the passage of time,’ she points out.

‘So when you say, “I’ll be back after lunch”, they don’t understand how long that will be.’ If your little one is nervous about letting you go, a transitional object can really help.
‘Young children love having a tangible thing they can carry with them as a reminder of all things good,’ says Koraly. It could be his favourite teddy, or a hanky that belongs to you and fits into a pocket so he can reach in and feel whenever he needs to be reminded that you.

Your little one learns from you. As you go about your day, remember to say hello to the bus driver, smile at the barista who hands you a babyccino and strike up short conversations with neighbours in the street.
Remember that he’s watching you, and learning that other people are a source of fun and companionship, not fear.

It may sound counterintuitive to enrol your shy tot in a mini ballet class, or take him to Monkey Music sessions. But, says Koraly, it can be much easier for shy children to take part in organised activities than to simply plunge into unstructured play. ‘In a class setting, he or she can be in a group, but not the focus of any attention,’ she explains.

Your tot can follow the instructions, rather than having to respond independently and spontaneously. In doing so, he’ll gradually learn to be happy in social settings.