How can you tell if a child is just shy or socially anxious? What are the symptoms of social anxiety? What can a teacher do for the overly shy student?
Many young children are shy in the elementary (primary) years. Some are uncomfortable around peers they don’t yet know, while others are wary of adults. But, how can a teacher tell when a child is too shy? When a student displays symptoms of social anxiety disorder, then it may be time for the teacher to intervene. There are many ways to support the overly shy student in the classroom.
Differences Between Shyness and Social Anxiety Disorder
Usually children with social anxiety disorder started out being shy. But soon their overly shy ways turn into something else. How can a teacher tell the difference? Children who are normally shy will not avoid situations in which they have to perform even if they may be nervous about them. Kids who are shy will still have many friends, can approach others to play and when something seems fun they will join in eventually.
Students who have developed a social phobia may have virtually no friends at all. They will display avoidance behaviors, refusing to participate in team sports, spelling bees or any type of activities that will require them to perform in front of others, even when it is required of them in the classroom. While shy children can get along well in life, kids with social anxiety will need help and are at risk of developing chronic depression.
Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder
The following is a list of common signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder in children:
- Nervous about performance situations, refuses to participate
- Extremely self-conscious and fear of humiliation
- Physical symptoms (headaches, nausea, vomiting) if forced into a social or performance situation
- Normal daily routine has become disrupted by social fear
- Extreme social distress has lasted more than 6 months
- Refuses any of the following: Eating in front of others, changing clothes in front of others, using public bathrooms, raising hand in class, public speaking, participating in a group project or sport
- Shuts down during a party or other crowded situation
Young children with any of these symptoms may be developing a social anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, without help it can get worse, especially when a socially anxious student enters into adolescence. Luckily, there are many ways a teacher can support the overly shy child in the classroom and potentially help him build self-confidence. Having confidence may help the student eventually face and even overcome some of his fear.
How to Support the Overly Shy Child at School
A teacher can help a child who is very shy to become less fearful of peers and performance in the classroom. Here five important ways of supporting a young child with social anxiety disorder:
- Express that bullying and teasing are unacceptable in your classroom.
- Don’t allow a student to avoid performance situations, but keep them brief and positive.
- Place the child in pairs and groups with other children who are supportive.
- Highlight the shy student’s strengths in the classroom.
- Incorporate social skills activities into lesson plans.
It is important to maintain a positive, supportive and safe school environment and to offer ample encouragement to the child who is overly shy. To keep her from sinking deeper into the disorder, make sure that she gradually but consistently faces her fears and try to keep those encounters successful by highlighting her absolute strengths. For example, be sure that a required oral report is on a subject that the child excels in.
Children will face many situations that are scary to them. Shyness is one common phase among young children as they go through their first few years of school. Usually this attribute passes as a child becomes more familiar with her surroundings and more comfortable with her peers. A few shy students, however, never seem to overcome it. When a child is too shy, a teacher can help her with the techniques mentioned above.
Sources:
Cooley, Miles L., Teaching Kids With Mental Health and Learning Disorders in the Regular Classroom. MN: Free Spirit Publishing, Inc.
Last, Cynthia G., Help for Worried Kids. NY: The Guilford Press