Extreamly shy toddler

[mommyboy]

Hi there,

My 2 1/2-yr son is an extreamly shy little boy. He would not say a word or do anything with strangers or even our relatives who he seldom meets.

He is very active and talkative when he is with us. He is now attending pre-nursery classes 5 days a week but it does not seem to improve his social skills.

I'm quite worried since now it is an interview season for next year K1. His performance is not so good from the recent interview he had as he did not even move or reponse to the teacher's instructions.

Could anyone please suggest? Thanks a lot.

[syuan]

That sounds like my 2-1/2 year-old daughter, and her brother, who is now 4. My son did not pass the CDNIS interview two years in a row. Both are now at KCS. I used to get quite upset and try to "force" them to respond to people, but I don't think that really helps, so now I try to let them be, at the same time trying to encourage them more in social settings. At interviews, I let them hold on to something small in their hands that they really like. For my son it was Thomas, and my daughter was good with a box of raisins.

[spockey]

I don't know if there's a Speech and Drama class for toddlers but I recall during my time in Singapore that a lot of parents who were in similar situations sent their kids to such classes. I've observed quite a turnaround in their personality after 6 months or so. Usually, within the year, you'd never imagine that they were once upon a time a shy and quiet child.

[mommy sara]

I would just make sure that you don't "label" your child as shy. They start to think that's the way they are "supposed" to be and don't have motivation to break out of that. Classes and encouragement are a good idea. Good luck!

[reei]

when is the interview season for kindergarten? are all held in october or feb / march the following year?
can you please give some feedback, when did u bring your kid to interview, which month and which kindergarten?
what kind of questions asked?
thanks.

[carang]

i've had tons of kids having interviews during November...

[Konradsmom]

Mommyboy,

I am in the same situation, my son is very active around us but doesn't interact with strangers, no eye contact, and even in class he doesn't always respond to his name when called. We went for kindy interviews too, and by the 4th one he was pretty much on stirke.

I won't worry too much about the interviews, cos I have heard lots of stories of kids who didn't even open their mouths but was taken in nonetheless. However, I am a bit worried about my son because of his behaviour because at some point he will need to take that step and interact. I am also worried that it may be more than just shyness.....

I found a playgroup which is supposedly for kids like my son, and it also addresses other behaviours which may trouble parents. We will start in dec, and if this is any good I will let you know to see if you want to consider it as well.

[arleneli]

Most local kinddie already start their interview, i am not sure about ESF or international kinddie. Mostly they want to find out whether your child knows his/her own name, ppl around him/her and then show them pictures and ask them what they are, or play toys with them to see how they interact.