If you think shyness is affecting your child and their ability to socialise, don’t worry, you’re not alone. At Kiddikicks, many parents fear that their children are too hesitant, particularly in the first couple of sessions. When your little one acts shy, there are a couple of important things you need to remember.
Firstly, if your child is timid by nature, it doesn’t mean he has personality problems, but rather it is often a phase that many kids go through. Secondly, you must remember that shyness isn’t always a bad thing. Those who are quiet might be good listeners and can often make those around them feel comfortable and relaxed, without saying much.
If you’re still worried that your child is too shy, here are a few Do’s and Don’ts we've learnt from running children's football classes:
DO give it time. It is highly likely that your little one will outgrow their shy behaviour. Therefore, it’s important to be patient and allow them to do so at their own pace. Kids often feel self-doubt when surrounded by other children, other parents, all the new faces in a new space and this is why parents must be optimistic and encouraging towards their young ones and give them time to settle. We recommend a minimum of 6 consecutive weeks.
DON’T always come to the rescue. This can often have counter-productive consequences. By becoming too involved and interfering too much, your child might end up withdrawing even more. Instead, by allowing them to face a challenge and succeed on their own, their confidence will grow and their shyness will disappear.
DO celebrate the small things. It’s important that your child can see that you appreciate the fact that he’s trying. Rather than focusing on whether they are doing something perfectly, rejoice in the baby steps and encourage them throughout.
DON’T compare. Children develop at different ages and it would be counter productive to think that they will grasp concepts immediately. It’s important not to put too much pressure on them and this is why at Kiddikicks we allow them to complete the tasks at a pace they feel comfortable with.
DO provide other opportunities. Football can sometimes feel like a scary environment for young children and they can be afraid to interact. It might be worth signing your little ones up for other team-based classes as well as football, so they can practice working together with others. This way, when their football session does come around, it won’t feel as intimidating and they’ll be more willing to join in.
At Kiddikicks we appreciate that each child is wonderfully unique. Our experienced coaches always do their absolute best to help everyone become as involved as they can. Even if your little one is a tad reluctant to participate one week, DO NOT WORRY, they will always be welcomed back the following week to give it another shot!
Did you know the Kiddikicks School and Nursery service can come to your child's educational setting to coach the Kiddikicks tried and tested #RealSkillsRealFun football programme. The programme and related equipment is designed for indoor or outdoor use and is suitable for nursery and all Key Stage 1 children.
We would like to help everyone acheive their sporting goals - to start the ball rolling book your #freetrial by emailing info@kiddikicks.co.uk.