Help with Shyness

My Brother and I were always shy. I started growing out of it in 9th grade, but was still shy until in my 20's when I felt assure of who I was as a person. Being shy isn't always bad. I am a teacher and I get along with the shy kids because I remember what it was like for me. My daughter is also shy. She is in 5th grade now and finally coming out of her shell a little more.
I think having your daughter do more activities when you are not around. Church Groups, daycare, library and gym daycare is good. I am a preschool teacher and I see so many kids grow when they are in a class without their parents.
I don't know if you talk about her being shy around others, but try not to tell her she is shy or let her hear it. A lot of times when Kids are labled they tried to fit that label they have been given. What really helped me was moving because nobody knew me and I could be anyone I wanted. I wasn't labled as being shy. I know your daughter is young and I wouldn't worry as long as she is getting to do activities with other kids her age. She will gain confidence in herself and become more outgoing.

Try taking her to a mommy and me activity where you and her both get to interact with the parents and kids. We took my daughter to a Kindermusic class and that was really helpful. Anything that you and her can do together will help her out for awhile. Then putting her in to Preschool for a few years will also help. Get her out of the home with you and out with kids her own age.

you can't really change her personality. all you can really do is provide support for and positive reinforcement and options to help her have more confidence. 2 weeks isn't really long to judge whether or not she feels comfortable. does she go to any other groups in which you are not present? the more activities you can get her involved in where she has to rely on herself to communicate, etc (not "fall back" on mom for support) the more she can gain self-confidence.

some kids are going to be more shy by nature. and she may just be a late bloomer. You say you learned to "hide" it, that may not be the most healthy thing to do. Or did you mean overcome it. That's what your daughter will learn to do as she gain self-confidence. Don't judge her based on your experience, the more you worry based on that the more you'll subconsciously influence her in the opposite direction that you intend.

If she sees you working well to overcome shyness, she'll learn good techniques too.

Even people who aren't "shy" can get nervous/anxious when meeting new people on their own. My theory is you just need to realize that everyone feels a little scared so you want to be the person to ease that. If that even makes sense... it makes sense in my head. Anyway, she's too young for that now but if I were you I would probably try to introduce her to some of the other kids. Maybe when you get to the gym walk her in and take her up to someone playing and introduce them. She might just not now how to take the first step. I'm not really a shy person so I don't know how it feels but my mom used to be and we've talked about the pain of it. 3 1/2 is still a little young but when just gets older you could sit down and talk to her about it. I think that's why I'm not shy, because my mom was. good luck.