mothers of 6 year olds? do you feel that your child is unusually shy?

Your daughter is completely normal. My 8 year old was the exact same way when she was 6, and we would have the worst social experiences when I tried to introduce her to one of my friends, co-teachers, etc. And like you said, she did it with people she knew too. Eventually she grew out of it and now she's this bubbly, talkative little third grader. If it doesn't change in the next year or so I would see a child specialist, just to check up.

I've had shy kids, who wouldn't speak to people they've met several times (one is now so totally the opposite of shy you could not imagine he ever was that way) -- and they were totally fine. I've also had one child with selective mutism, who literally could not speak in certain situations no matter what -- and she was not fine. If your daughter warms up and speaks to people eventually, or if she really could speak if she actually had to, I wouldn't worry about it. Don't put a lot of pressure but give plenty of encouragement. If she really can't warm up ever, or can't tell certain people even if she's bleeding or otherwise has an emergency, or if it's interfering in a substantial way with her life (like if she can't talk to teachers at school), check out www.selectivemutism.org and talk to your pediatrician. Kids with selective mutism talk totally normally with some people but are totally mute and totally unable to make themselves speak in other situations. The rare child has an actual anxiety disorder and really does need help. I'm guessing your child is not in that category since you sense everything is fine. There's nothing wrong with being shy unless it's impacting quality of life. If it's doing that, get her some help.

I have six year old twin girls called April and Lily.

April is really loud and confident, and Lily is super shy. It's a bit worrying, but I think it's because April overpowers Lily.

My friend had the same situation, and now her daughters are 10 and the shy one is not so shy anymore. So hopefully it's just a phase. Or some people are just way more introverted.

I encourage Lily to write postcards and have quick phone calls with her grandparents (when I'm on the phone), so it's not so difficult to talk directly when she sees them, and she's still communicating with them in a less pressurising way.

My daughter will be 6 in a month and she is painfully shy. She is very slow to warm up to people and always has been. Don't worry too much, some children are just shy. You might want to talk to her teacher to see how she is in school - and the school counselor might be able to help give you some ideas about how to help your daughter feel more comfortable around people.

Don't tell people she is shy, she hears that and believes it to be cute, tell her it is rude , i had the same problem when my 13 yr old was about that age, i happened to be taking a christian parenting class at the same time, when i stopped saying excuse him he is shy and started saying david don't be rude and reinforcing it at home, david why were you rude to mr or mrs so and so, that hurt there feelings you did not say hello, it stopped within 2 weeks

stop listening to others! you know your daughter and she knows she is safe with you. She can be the real little girl that she is with you because you will not tell her how she is supposed to act. YOu accept her for her....those others, probably not. If they talk about her in front of her or if she is in ear shot, she knows what they think of her!

nothing is wrong with her she just might not be that open kind of social person and thats ok she is just shy, still into my teens i was like that now that im older i have grown out of it