Childhood is often a time of making new friends. However, for some children, the thought of being in a social situation makes them distressed. If your child displays this behavior, they may be dealing with social anxiety. Understanding this condition can be the first step to helping them navigate their interpersonal relationships with confidence.
What Is Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety disorder is a deep-rooted fear of social situations. It may also be comorbid with other disorders, such as autism. Children with social anxiety often feel self-conscious around others. They may fear being judged, humiliated, or being the center of attention. This could mean being extremely nervous about speaking in class, avoiding group activities, or even being scared of one-on-one interactions with their peers. Social anxiety can sometimes be so intense that it persists well into adulthood.
How Does Social Anxiety Different From Shyness?
It's common to confuse social anxiety as a child being timid, but there's more to it. Shyness is a personality trait that may make them feel uneasy or reserved in new situations, but they often warm up with time. However, children with social anxiety experience are persistently afraid and show physical symptoms like sweating, rapid heartbeat, or nausea. For example, a shy child may hesitate to make friends in class at first but will engage once they're comfortable. On the other hand, a child with social anxiety may outright avoid these gatherings, fearing embarrassment.
How To Help Your Child Manage Their Social Anxiety
A child with social anxiety needs to learn to navigate different interactions. Here are a few actionable tips to help you support them the best way you can:
Empathize With Them: While it may be frustrating, you need to comfort your child and let them know it's okay to feel anxious. Avoid getting angry, telling them to "get over it," or doing things that may exacerbate their anxiety even further.
Rehearse Social Situations: If you know a particular event will trigger your child’s anxiety, practice or role-play it. This can make the real scenario feel much less intimidating.
Expose Them To New Scenarios: It's tempting to let a child with social anxiety avoid uncomfortable scenarios, but doing this will only worsen their anxiety going forward. Instead, gradually expose them to social situations, celebrating the small wins.
Our Curriculum Will Help Your Child Thrive
While home support is crucial, a supportive environment can significantly benefit a child with social anxiety. Tiegerman provides a nurturing atmosphere where every child can thrive. Here, they'll learn the skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. If you want your child to be in an environment where they can flourish, please contact our staff for more information today.
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