One of the toughest challenges for a young girl to overcome is shyness. This is primarily due to a lack of confidence and interaction. As their parent you’ll have to create opportunities for her to develop confidence through positive and productive activities. If you have looked around there is a whole host of methods, but which one is effective and fun? A suggestion is that you consider Pretend Play Kitchens as a good method for overcoming shyness.
The reason a toy kitchen would be ideal is that it will allow your daughter to role play right along with you in an activity she is probably already fascinated with. Seeing Mom preparing, cooking and cleaning up after meals has more then likely caught her attention. This could be used to help her overcome her shyness and lack of confidence through developing some positive memories. She would love to play chef with Mom and this would create some great bonding time for the two of you as well.
Mom, you can share with your daughter all the secrets of the kitchen you learned from your mother and do it in the safe and age appropriate setting of a play kitchen. Everything from meal planning, preparation, serving and clean up can be on the activities list for both of you. A great meal to start with could be something like tacos. This wouldn’t involve anything real complicated so you can begin your adventure together on a positive note and she can feel a sense of accomplishment.
Before you get started with your meal together it might be a good time to introduce your daughter to all the components and accessories that come with Pretend Play Kitchens She will probably have a zillion questions for you to answer and she will listen attentively as you give your instructions. As she enthusiastically opens and closes the doors to the oven, microwave and refrigerator she will barely be able to contain her excitement.
Someday Mom you are going to invite her to help out in your kitchen and the lessons that have been learned in the toy kitchen will become important. Of course she is not going to learn all the lessons you give her the first day or week, so be patient. After a couple of weeks it would be a good idea for her to invite a friend over and you can let them prepare a simple lunch meal for all of you. This will go a long way toward helping her to break out of her shell and socialize more.
