How to give my 8yr old a confidence boost???

Question

I have an 8 year old daughter who is EXTREMELY shy. It takes several months for her to even warm up to a teacher. And she is so sweet and loving....the first few weeks of school, she'll just sit and watch other kids play. She won't talk to anyone or even try to make new friends.At some point during school she'll warm up to about 2 other little girls but that's it. She has always been this way. I am not and my husband isn't either. She doesn't really talk alot or even loudly at home,not even with her sisters. I am just not sure how to get her to open up and have some fun. I mean, if you were to even talk to her or say hi and she doesn't know you then she doesn't even look at you much less speak. It worries me that she is soooooo introverted. Should I have her see someone???

Answer 1

i used to be very shy when i was her age. what helped me is that my parents and i would set goals. Id have a chart and my goals would be listed there. if i completed it i got a sticker. examples of goals are: talk to someone new, give someone a compliment, ask someone to play etc... my parents were very patient and supportive and they really helped me learn to open up :) hope this helps!

Answer 2

If you think she is introverted beyond what would be considered normal, then by all means, take her to see someone. It wouldn't hurt anything. In the meantime, if you want to help her make friends and be more confident, get her involved with girl scouts, that's what the program is all about!
You could also host a smalll party (maybe Halloween?) for some of the kids in her class so she would have a chance to interact with them on her home turf, where she would feel more confident. Have silly games that help teach the kids a little about one another in a stress free environment.

Answer 3

I have some of those also. I put her in an acting class with the understanding with the teacher she would never have to talk,just be on stage. She did this quite awhile then started singing with the choir and eventually had some speaking line. Just be patient and don't push her,just provide opportunities for her. If this is not a option try martial arts.Really it's amazing what it can do to bring out a child. I have seen it happen time and time again.Acting class is good,but martial arts is hands down the winner ,for either sex

Answer 4

If she's not unhappy, then let her be this way. Oftentimes the most RESPECTED people are those who choose their words wisely and speak only when they have something important to say. It sounds like your daughter might be this way. :) Just make sure she knows she's got a lot of positive qualities and leave it at that. You could also talk to her teacher at the beginning of the year to explain her personality...But you may find that by the end of this school year, your problem will be the opposite- you won't be able to get her to shut up. :) Third grade is a big transition year for most kids. Best wishes!

Answer 5

Have play dates at your house with other kids her age so she can get to know them out of the school setting.
Kids need confidence boosts all the time, every day. Just keep it up.
Love her for who she is, she don't need to be outgoing. She will open up in her own time and just needs to have the confidence inside her and that will develope as she matures.
I was pretty quiet until I was about 16.

Answer 6

Forcing her to be outspoken can actually hurt her more than help. I would suggest you let her be. Ask her what she is interested in and let her do it. She may want to do it alone, but doing something alone is not wrong, it is just unusual to an extrovert (like myself).

My husband has to have time alone. I used to think he was so strange, but spending time with people was quite an aggravation for him. As he became more comfortable with himself and began to succeed at something he could be proud of (this is why you want to find what she is interested in and let her do it) he was able to open up to others and share what he was learning about. Now he helps people in the areas he spent time learning and becoming successful - and he is very knowledgeable and quite articulate in sharing, although he used to never speak.

Allow her to succeed at her "thing" and she will begin to want to share it.

Answer 7

Show her how much you love her. Tell her that she can do anything that she can set her mind to. Tell her that she's the best and that no one is better than her. Don't mind leslie. That was a stupid comment. Just spend some time with her and show her that you love her.

Answer 8

that sounds like my daughter,,she never would talk at my in-laws,, they were shocked when she one day finaly said something!

for a confidence boost,,give little task,they can do & reward them or brag to them how proud you are of them..

When she does start talking,,,,,she'll probably 'talk the horns off a billygoat!',,as my mom says...someone told me when mine was 5 that i needed to take her to a dr. for it......nah....she was ok,,,,she opened up later,,then she wouldnt stop!

she's normal....

Answer 9

haha i know this sounds REALLY wierd but im in 7th grade and i used to be kinda shy but like after i started listening to hannah montana-especially lifes what you make it, i got more outgoing!

hope i helped!!! =)