How to Start Homeschooling a Shy Child

When you start homeschooling a shy child, you will be presented with unique challenges. While most parents agree that it is important to provide their homeschooled child with plenty of opportunities for peer interaction, it can be difficult if your child is naturally shy and reserved. Here are some tips on how to help your shy child become more comfortable in social situations:

• Try not to label. If a child constantly hears you say, "Oh, he's just shy," he will live up to that label. Worse than that, if it seems as though you are apologizing for his shyness, the label may cause your child to feel that shyness is a defect, rather than a simple personality trait. 
• Respect your child's natural temperament. Remember that the goal is not to try to change your shy child into a social butterfly, but to help her to feel more comfortable in social situations. 
• Provide plenty of opportunities, but don't push. Seek out activities your child might enjoy, such as enrichment classes, playgroups, clubs and volunteer activities. But if your child prefers to sit on the sideline and watch a game rather than participate, don't pressure him. He'll join in when he's ready.
• Give your child time to prepare. Before going to an event or activity with your child, explain what you'll be doing and who will be there. For example, "Today we're going to Book Group. Johnny, Kate and Steven will be there too. After we discuss our book, we're going to have snack and then we'll go home." Knowing what to expect will ease your child's anxiety and make the activity more enjoyable for her.
• Arrive a little early to large gatherings. It's sometimes easier for shy children to warm up to social situations if they don't have to walk into a big crowd. Be among the first to arrive, so your child has time to adjust as the crowd builds.
• Allow your child some "alone time." For many shy children, too much socializing can be exhausting. Make sure to allow your child plenty of time each day for solitary activities.

It is common for well-meaning friends and family try to convince you that sending your child off to school will cure him of his shyness. However, shyness is not a disease to be cured, and being forced to be with a large group of people all day, along with the accompanying problems of peer pressure and bullying, can be quite stressful for shy children. The flexibility of homeschooling frees children from this stress, and many parents find that homeschooling allows their shy child to really blossom, giving these kids the confidence to build solid, long-lasting friendships.