Abstract
Shyness is a fairly common emotion among children and adults and continues to receive considerable attention from teachers, parents, and researchers. A self-study of 5,000 people indicated that 80% reported being shy at some point in their life (Zimbardo, 1977). More recent research (Kagan, 1989) suggests that approximately 15% of all children are born with a predisposition to be shy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Buss, A. H. (1984). A conception of shyness. In J. Daly & J. C. McCroskey (Eds.),Avoiding communication: Shyness, reticence. and communication apprehension. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Derman-Sparks, L. (1988).Anti-bias Curriculum: Tools for empowering young children. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Forman, G. E., & Hill, F. (1980).Constructive play: Applying Piaget in the preschool. Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Galvin, R. M. (1992). The nature of shyness.Harvard Magazine 94, 41–45.
Gilmartin, B. G. (1985). Some family antecedents of severe shyness.Family Relations, 34 429–438.
Honig, A. S. (1987). The shy child.Young Children, 42 54–64.
Hyson, M. C., & Van Trieste, K. (1987).The shy child. (Report No. EDO-PS-87-3). ERIC Digest. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 295 741.)
Jalongo, M. R. (1983). Using crisis-oriented books with young children.Young Children, 38 29–36.
Kagan, J. (1989). Temperamental contributions to social behavior.American Psychologist, 44 669–674.
Kagan, J., Kearsley, R. B., & Zelazo, P. R. (1978).Infancy: Its place in human development. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Kagan, J., & Reznick, S. (1986). Shyness and temperament. In W. H Jones, J. M. Cheek, & S. R. Briggs (Eds.),Shyness: Perspectives on research and treatment (pp. 81–90). New York: Plenum Press.
Kamii, C., & DeVries, R. (1979).Group games in early education: Implications of Piaget's theory. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Orlick, T. (1978).The cooperative sports and games book. New York: Pantheon.
Plomin, R. (1974).A temperament theory of personality development: Parent-child interaction. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Texas.
Plomin, R., & Daniels, D. (1986). Genetics and shyness. In W. H. Jones, J. M. Cheek, & S. R. Briggs (Eds.),Shyness: Perspectives on research and treatment (pp. 63,80). New York: Plenum Press.
Zimbardo, P. G. (1977).Shyness: What it is what to do about it. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Zimbardo, P. G., & Radl, S. L. (1981).The sky child: A parent's guide to preventing and overcoming shyness from infancy to adulthood. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Additional information
Janis Bullock is Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bullock, J. Supporting the development of shy children. Early Childhood Educ J 20, 8–10 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01617779
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01617779