Sticky_Mommy responded June 16, 2008 at 9:14AM

  I love my job, it gives me a break from my kids!

Shy kids need more time for transitions. Give her plenty of advance notice to check out her new environment or meet with just one kid instead of a crowd, that could help. And don't force anything, let her go on her own pace. Embrace the shy-ness and as you or your step-daughter plays with her model what you would do, say to another kid when you're at the park "We're building a sand village, would you like to play with us?"

  matty39 responded June 16, 2008 at 10:41AM

  

I was always a shy child and I think the hardest thing for me was getting used to new situations and new children. It wasn't that I didn't want to be around them or play with them...it was the social atmosphere was different for different children and I had to get used to something new.

I think that her mom is doing the right thing by inviting some of them over and hopefully will continue as it may take her quite some time to get used to new situations.

I also love Sticky Mommy's idea of trying different settings.