ntlest parent can raise a [shy] child, (Schrof & Schultz, 1999, p. 52). Parents can send messages to their child that the world is full of embarrassing moments by avoiding social interaction or worrying what others think of them. One thing parents and teachers can do is to recognize each persons individual integrity, to help them develop a sense of personal worth, (Zimbardo, 1977, p. 189). Children most importantly need unconditional love from their caregivers and teachers so they can explore the world while being comfortable with themselves. For example in the book Owen, by Kevin Henkes, Owen has a deep attachment to his baby blanket. This attachment is so great that Owen doesnt have any other friends, his blanket is his only friend. His parents are very concerned about this attachment and its effects on Owen. They try several tactics to get Owen to give up his blanket, but Owen will not let his blanket go. Realizing that Owen may feel better about himself when he has the blanket, his mother cuts the blanket into small squares so Owen can always have the blanket and his parents do not have to worry that the attachment to the blanket will effect his social life. In this example, Owens parents realize that the blanket is important to Owen and dont want to traumatize or hurt his feelings by taking the blanket away, so they devise a compromise that allows Owen to build his self-concept. Christina Frank wrote her article, How To Help a Shy Child, through the eyes of someone who suffered from childhood shyness. Frank offers several tips for parents to help shy children. First, she points out that parents need to avoid using sarcasm when speaking to their children. Humiliation, in the form of teasing or sarcasm, wont work and doesnt acknowledge that the child is struggling with real fears, (Frank, 1998, p. 115). Parents need to avoid comparing the child to more outgoing children. Parents also need to validate a childs fears by saying someth...
