Childhood Shyness and Childrens Literature Essay -- Teaching Education

Childhood Shyness and Childrens LiteratureUnderstanding the Distress of Children Who set out from Shyness Almost everyone has felt shy at nearly point in his or her life. Feeling uncomfortable or anxious in a new companionable setting is not uncommon or something to be overly concerned about however, there are many people whose lives carry because of their shyness. Shyness can have many harmful effects on a persons emotional and social hearty world (Bruch, 1999). yet though research on shyness has mainly focused on adults, shyness can be just as difficult, if not more difficult, for children. Because social and emotional development are so important during the school years as children are meeting and interacting with their peers, we see it as very important for teachers to be in tune with these types of developmental needs. Childrens literature is a great way to bring up and discuss emotional and social issues. We found some wonderful childrens books that teachers can use in the classroom to discuss shyness, how it affects people, and how to make others feel better who are shy. If you have ever known a truly shy child, you probably know how difficult being shy can be for that child. It can be very painful to see a shy child desperately wanting to be accepted by other children yet not knowing what to do to gain their approval, or else likewise frightened to take the risk of trying to reach out to them (Zimbardo, 1981, p. 4). A women expresses difficulty with having been a shy child Growing up is painful at best, but excruciating for the shy. When others could not understand the reason for my lack of zest for life, I knew all along that my shyness was the real problem. I was terribly grabby of anyone who seemed comfortable with people. Anyone who could express their thoughts verbally . . . (Zimbardo, 1981, p. 4). A child who is suffering from this much pain needs to be of concern. Anything that makes a child unhappy, such as being unpopular, not feeling comfortable around peers, and not being able to communicate thoughts or feelings directly, is hazardous to a persons psychological well being (Kemple, 1995). Unfortunately children who suffer from shyness frequently go unnoticed by teachers and parents. Shy children are usually well behaved, quiet, and follow the rules they are speculate to (Zimbardo, 1981). Teachers may mistake a... ...ultz, S. (1999). Social anxiety. U.S. News & World Report, 24, 50-54.Seid, R. P. (1999). Dying of shyness. Joe Weiders Shape, 18 (7), 42-44.Zimbardo, P. G. (1981). The Shy Child. U.S.A, Mexico, Toranto McGraw-Hill Book Company.Zimbardo, P. G. (1977). Shyness what it is what to do about it. Reeding, MA Addison-Wesley issue Company. Childrens BooksBechtold, L. (1999). Buster The Very Shy Dog. New York, NY Houghton Mifflin Co.Brown, R. (1998). The Shy Little Angel. New York, NY Dutton Childrens Books. Glaser, L. (1993). Stop That Garbage Truck. Morton Grove, IL Albert Whitman & Co.He nkes, O. (1993). Owen. New York, NY Greenwillow Books.Johnston, M. (1996). Lets Talk About Being Shy. New York, NY PowerKids Press.Levete, S. (1996). How Do I Feel About Making Friends? Brookfield, CT Cooper Beech Books.Lester, H. (1999). Hooway For Wodnay Wat. Boston, MA Houghton Mifflin Co.Mathers, P. (1991) Sophie and Lou. USA harpist Collins Publishers.Raschka, C. (1996) The Blushful Hippopotamus. New York, NY Orchid Books.Wood, A. (1995). Orlandos Little-While A Scrapbook. New York, NY Childs Play International LTD.