The Foundation for a Meaningful Life
Kindergarten - Grade 9 in Southborough, MA
Kindergarten Readiness

Tips for Helping Your Shy Child Build Confidence

Five Tips for Helping Your Shy Child Build Confidence

Parents worry about sending a shy child off to Kindergarten. They wonder if they’ll be able to advocate for themselves with teachers and classmates and whether being quiet will make it challenging to make new friends. These concerns are understandable, but Fay Kindergarten teacher Anne Canada wants to calm those fears. “Usually, shyness doesn’t last too long in Kindergarten,” says Anne. “We spend so much time together and work so hard to build a safe community within the classroom that you’d never really know anyone was shy after a week or two!” However, if you are looking for ways to ease the transition to Kindergarten for your quiet child, here are a few helpful tips.

Don’t label your child as shy.

When your child clings to your side as you enter a party, it can be tempting to mention their shyness by way of explanation. However, those words have power, and the more a child hears themselves called shy, the more it will reinforce their reticence. 

Prepare your child for unfamiliar situations.

Children who are naturally cautious like to assess a situation before jumping right in. When possible, prep them ahead of time with information about where you are going, who will be there, and how an event will unfold to minimize any anxiety they may feel.

Create Opportunities to Open Up

While a quiet child may avoid the spotlight, Anne mentions that most kids will open up a bit when sharing something meaningful, like a drawing that they are proud of or a book they love. 

Teach politeness as a way to navigate social situations.

Manners are an excellent tool for navigating new situations. If your child knows how to introduce themselves, make eye contact, and converse in a loud and clear voice, that’s a great ice breaker! At Fay, our Primary School students get practice with these skills every morning when Head of Primary School Katie Knuppel greets them at the door. 

Let them know they are not alone.

Shyness can feel isolating, but it is also extremely common. Let your child know that feeling a little uncomfortable in a new situation is normal. Anne points out that books can be a great way to facilitate conversations on this topic. She suggests starting with The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig, Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes, When No One Is Watching by Eileen Spinelli, and Willow’s Whispers by Lana Button. Let them know that some children are naturally quieter, and that’s okay.

About Fay School

Fay School was founded in 1866 and is the oldest junior boarding school in the United States. Our 66-acre campus is located in Southborough, MA, just 25 miles from Boston. Our community includes 475 students in kindergarten through grade nine and includes 150 boarders in grades 7-9  from across the United States and over 20 countries. Fay is recognized around the world for its superior educational program, and our graduates are accepted to top secondary schools. Fay's program empowers students to discover their talents, develop their intellectual abilities, establish essential academic skills and knowledge, and define their moral character - all essential to living a life of meaning and making a positive difference in the world.

Learn more about Fay School.

48 MAIN STREET
SOUTHBOROUGH, MA 01772
main number 508-490-8250
admission 508-490-8201