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How to turn a shy child into a confident leader
Wed, 01/10/2024
7 mins
In reading this blog, you may be assuming that having a shy child is a disadvantage that hinders their ability to become assertive and confident later in life. An initial tendency towards shyness may be a huge advantage for a child as it portends introspection, greater self-awareness and an aptitude for listening rather than speaking. Some of history's greatest leaders - Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Teresa - are known for their ability to truly hear and understand the needs and concerns of others, and their capacity to empathize and act on behalf of those they have listened to.
However, it is also true that the conscious act of overcoming shyness does lead to improved social interactions, more opportunities for personal growth and self-expression, and according to many studies, reduced stress and anxiety associated with isolation.
It’s also important to acknowledge that although we are born with hereditary characteristics such as being more reserved, these traits can be molded by conscious behavior and environmental factors. So the good news is that an initially shy child can certainly develop confidence and strong leadership skills, albeit through a gradual process that may require patience and support.
Webinar
Hear directly from our expert webinar host, Vanessa Misso-Veness, founder & learning coach on how to build strong communication skills and leadership abilities in children.
Parenting Tips
We also encourage parents to try the following strategies with their shy child:
Encourage self-expression: Establish a welcoming and safe space for your son or daughter to express themselves without fear. Invite them to express their feelings, ideas, and thoughts, and pay close attention to them when they do. Yes that means putting away your phone!
Support extracurricular activities: Encourage your child to engage in extracurricular activities related to their interests. Participating in things they enjoy, whether it be athletics, the arts, or any other activity, can help them gain confidence and sharpen their leadership abilities. We may be “talking our book” but many research studies back up this suggestion.
Cultivate a growth mindset: Teach your child that practice and effort can help them gain new abilities and skills. Motivate them to rise to the occasion and see setbacks as teaching moments. This change in perspective can encourage perseverance and a readiness to assume leadership positions.
Develop social skills: Encourage your son or daughter to create eye contact during conversations, start and sustain conversations, and practice active listening. Providing opportunities for social engagement and role-playing can help develop these abilities.
Remember that every child is different, and their growth may happen at a different rate. Throughout the process, show them your patience, compassion, and support while acknowledging and appreciating their accomplishments.
Extracurricular courses
Finally here are some courses specifically targeting building a child's confidence:
Feel Up | InNordics | 3-9 Yrs | Sai Kung
This course inspires kindness and empathy in every child. It aims to equip, strengthen, and nurture a child’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and ease them into starting conversations about emotions and relationships.
Learn more
Critical Core | SPOT Center Limited | 10-15 Yrs | Kwun Tong & HK Island
Critical Core is a social skills intervention program in the form of a tabletop role-playing game. Players learn communication and collaboration skills, develop frustration tolerance and emotional resilience, and build empathy as well as planning and organizing skills – all while entering a shared imaginary fantasy world, rolling dive, and having fun.
Social Adventures | SPOT Center Limited | 4-6 Yrs | Central
Social Adventures is for your child to experience different social experiences that are internally motivating and meaningful for the child and often offer the best opportunity to learn and practice social skills.
Public Speaking Training Camp for kids | Inspire2Aspire | 7-9 Yrs | Online
Public Speaking is one of the best ways to help a child develop confidence. This 5-Day Public Speaking Camp is about training a student who was originally a good speaker and helping them become a GREAT speaker. We teach students how to shine on stage by writing speeches, projecting their voices, and making use of body language to deliver presentations that inspire.
Learn more
English Story Telling Class | Indigo Kids | 3-7 Yrs | Sai Kung, Sha Tin, Yau Tsim Mong, Tsuen Wan & Quarry Bay
In this course, the students will be able to predict sequencing and build up their presentation skills by showing and telling. They will be able to learn confidence, and enhance their pronunciation and public speaking skills by storytelling.
