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Well it's really up to you to determine if she lacks self-confidence.
The teacher is just observing what she sees.
Does she lack self-confidence ? Does she have low self-esteem ?
Fair observation. Good questions, too, but tough to answer. Sometimes, it's self-confidence, while at other times, it seems to be self-esteem. Maybe it's difficult to assess because of her age. Though her strengths do tend to help with the latter.
Fair observation. Good questions, too, but tough to answer. Sometimes, it's self-confidence, while at other times, it seems to be self-esteem. Maybe it's difficult to assess because of her age. Though her strengths do tend to help with the latter.
You've posted that she's shy and introverted but academically ahead.
You've also posted that you are new to the area so naturally it takes time to make friendships.
I would say not to worry because it takes time to make friends, longer for shy children.
And you are making efforts to have play dates.
I would just give it time. She's only 5 (assuming here due to grade she's in) and just starting to go outside the family unit.
The teacher and we all know that she's shy and introverted. The teacher is concerned about her self confidence.
What will hurt her self confidence is being told or shown that her natural character traits are wrong and need to be fixed. These posts about forcing her into activities and scheduling play dates are fine if that's what she wants to do. But surrounding her with groups of people all the time is going can make her feel awkward if she's naturally introverted.
I would ask your introverted wife what she thinks.
There is a great TED talk on the power of introverts, I suggest you take a look.
What will hurt her self confidence is being told or shown that her natural character traits are wrong and need to be fixed. These posts about forcing her into activities and scheduling play dates are fine if that's what she wants to do. But surrounding her with groups of people all the time is going can make her feel awkward if she's naturally introverted.
I would ask your introverted wife what she thinks.
There is a great TED talk on the power of introverts, I suggest you take a look.
Thank you.
I agree with your comment, that forcing her into these settings may have a negative effect on her. Fortunately, for now, she's been excited about the play dates and even group swim/dance lessons. Up to a handful of people, she's completely fine with. We know better than to take her to a bigger outing.
My wife is actually the one that wants to encourage our daughter to enjoy these social settings more because she saw what she herself missed out on.
So I guess it's really two different things we are discussing here: allowing her to be who she is; while helping her with her self-confidence/esteem. And we can't mix the two up.
What will hurt her self confidence is being told or shown that her natural character traits are wrong and need to be fixed. These posts about forcing her into activities and scheduling play dates are fine if that's what she wants to do. But surrounding her with groups of people all the time is going can make her feel awkward if she's naturally introverted.
I would ask your introverted wife what she thinks.
There is a great TED talk on the power of introverts, I suggest you take a look.
I don't think anyone is advocating forcing play dates and hobbies on the child, but she should be encouraged in a positive way. I have never ever met a child who didn't benefit from having and making friends. ( even the completely non verbal child who was developmentally like a 2 year old at the age of 8. ) introverts have and need friends just like everyone else.
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