What kind of help have you sought for your child? What works for your child?
My nearly 6 year old just started kindergarten. She has been looking forward to kindy, she loves the activities and teachers, and I think she could really be absolutely thriving. BUT she is experiencing (again) social anxiety that is beyond what is typical for new kindergarteners, and it's interfering with her ability to enjoy kindy. It's also interfering with her ability to eat breakfast and dinner, and she's having trouble falling asleep. She will talk to the teachers, she will not (can't? sometimes I think she really *can't* bring herself to do it) talk to any kids. I should have sought professional help earlier, but I kind of thought she'd sort of mature out of it (denial, I guess). She had a great first two days of kindergarten, and even talked to a couple of kids (which is a big deal!), and I know it's still early. But I hate to see her like this, and based on the preschool experience, I'm really concerned. Pulling her out of school is not an option, in no small part because I think that avoiding the social contact is not the way to deal with this anxiety (but also b/c just in practical terms, homeschooling will not work for this family--and she *wants* to go to school).
I mean, yes I know I can find a psychologist. But I'm wondering, if you have a child with social anxiety do you do social skills groups? Individual therapy? Do you have any tips regarding how to help her through this until we find someone? I've let her teacher know, and she's giving her a buddy for recess today, and I'm sure she'll do what she can to help. I just feel completely incompetent in terms of helping her through this, I was just like her as a kid and still feel socially inept.
My little baby is alone at school right now, and she's scared and I feel so bad for her. I just wanted to take her home and tell her she doesn't have to ever being around anyone she doesn't know ever again.
My nearly 6 year old just started kindergarten. She has been looking forward to kindy, she loves the activities and teachers, and I think she could really be absolutely thriving. BUT she is experiencing (again) social anxiety that is beyond what is typical for new kindergarteners, and it's interfering with her ability to enjoy kindy. It's also interfering with her ability to eat breakfast and dinner, and she's having trouble falling asleep. She will talk to the teachers, she will not (can't? sometimes I think she really *can't* bring herself to do it) talk to any kids. I should have sought professional help earlier, but I kind of thought she'd sort of mature out of it (denial, I guess). She had a great first two days of kindergarten, and even talked to a couple of kids (which is a big deal!), and I know it's still early. But I hate to see her like this, and based on the preschool experience, I'm really concerned. Pulling her out of school is not an option, in no small part because I think that avoiding the social contact is not the way to deal with this anxiety (but also b/c just in practical terms, homeschooling will not work for this family--and she *wants* to go to school).
I mean, yes I know I can find a psychologist. But I'm wondering, if you have a child with social anxiety do you do social skills groups? Individual therapy? Do you have any tips regarding how to help her through this until we find someone? I've let her teacher know, and she's giving her a buddy for recess today, and I'm sure she'll do what she can to help. I just feel completely incompetent in terms of helping her through this, I was just like her as a kid and still feel socially inept.
My little baby is alone at school right now, and she's scared and I feel so bad for her. I just wanted to take her home and tell her she doesn't have to ever being around anyone she doesn't know ever again.