Many children are shy; though most will overcome their shyness without special help. Even some severely anxious young children get better on their own. We believe that most children grow out of their shyness because they learn through repeated experiences that there is little need to be afraid to speak in front of others, that it is to their advantage to express themselves, and that it is no fun being quiet and alone. Through everyday interactions with peers, teachers, and other adults, their anxiety and fears disappears.

But some children do not grow out of it. If there is a family history of anxiety or depression, the risk is increased. The longer children have problems with social anxiety, the less likely it is they will outgrow it. If your child has had a problem since age 6 and now at age 10 is not any better or is worse, there is a greater chance the problem will persist. If your child is already showing signs of depression and low self-esteem, do not wait to see if he or she will outgrow it.

There is no exact way of knowing whether your child will outgrow shyness. The best thing you can do is to encourage social behaviors in your child. Help your child become socially confident!

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