My Love for Stuffed Toys and Play Therapy

Photo by Dan/Freedigitalphotos.

When I was a little girl, I did not like to play with dolls. My sister would continually nag me to play Barbie dolls with her, to which I reluctantly give in. My sister's bed was overflowing with stuffed toys. Mine was just a few pillows and a neglected pink stuffed toy pushed to the very end of the bed. Perhaps it was because I was a very obedient daughter. My mom didn't want me to sleep beside dolls, for she believed that the fibers from the dolls might give me respiratory diseases.

Dealing with Shy Children

Don't push a shy kid too hard. Learn to build his trust and confidence.

Source: Photo by Ernst Vikne/Flickr

Shy people are often misunderstood. Shyness is often seen as a defect in personality. Parents who have shy kids tend to push them too hard in order for them to become more outgoing. Of course, they do not have any bad intentions for their kids. They just think that being more outgoing will make their kids grow up to become successful adults. However, dealing with these kids requires a lot of patience. Some might shut themselves off when pushed beyond their limits. I have even seen children who refuse to speak to strangers, teachers, classmates, relatives or neighbours except to the immediate family. When this happens, shyness might become a hindrance to the child’s well-being.