Social Phobia, Preschool
You said that your child is very fearful in social situations. S/he may be
afraid to interact with other children. Your child may also be afraid of
performing front of others. You may have noticed that your child is more
afraid of these things than s/he used to be. Your child may be having problems
at preschool or kindergarten because s/he is so afraid. For example, your
child may be so afraid that s/he refuses to join the other children in games.
S/he may prefer to stand back and watch. Your child may be especially shy when
in a new place or with new people. Children who have the problems you stated
often have Social Phobia.
You said your child acts in some of the following ways. These are symptoms of Social Phobia:
- Very afraid when others tell him/her s/he is doing things the wrong way
- S/he has a fear that s/he will make a fool of him/herself
- S/he is nervous or fearful around children s/he doesn't know
- Crying
- Tantrums
- "Freezing"
- Clinging or staying close to a familiar person
- Avoids people s/he doesn't know
- Refuses to talk/perform in front of others
Adapted in part from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual for Primary Care (DSM-PC) (1996) , and the American
Psychiatric Association (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders: Fourth Edition (1994) .
Why Social Phobia is Dangerous:
- A bad cycle occurs with children who have social phobia.
- Shy children tend to avoid social situations.
- The more they avoid these situations, the more it
interferes with normal activities such as making friends or
playing in the school yard.
- Eventually, these children don't develop the proper
social skills and as a result, appear different to their peers.
- Because they appear different, other kids treat them different.
- These children know they are being treated differently and
their worst fears have been realized! They avoid more.
Things you can do to help your child with Social Phobia:
- Invite another child over. Or, reward your child for inviting a friend over.
- Plan a "no fail" activity for them- such as watching a movie.
- Gradually, help your child invite people over for different activities.
You said that your child is very fearful in social situations. S/he may be afraid to interact with other children. Your child may also be afraid of performing front of others. You may have noticed that your child is more afraid of these things than s/he used to be. Your child may be having problems at preschool or kindergarten because s/he is so afraid. For example, your child may be so afraid that s/he refuses to join the other children in games. S/he may prefer to stand back and watch. Your child may be especially shy when in a new place or with new people. Children who have the problems you stated often have Social Phobia.
You said your child acts in some of the following ways. These are symptoms of Social Phobia:
Adapted in part from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Primary Care (DSM-PC) (1996)
Why Social Phobia is Dangerous:
Things you can do to help your child with Social Phobia: