Nurturing the Shy Child: Practical Help for Raising Confident and Socially Skilled Kids and Teens [Hardcover]

Barbara Markway (Author), Sifu Gregory Markway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 23, 2004

DO YOU WORRY THAT YOUR CHILD IS TOO SHY?

DOES YOUR CHILD SIT ON THE SIDELINES, OFTEN AVOIDING GROUP ACTIVITIES?

DOES YOUR CHILD FEEL NERVOUS WHEN BEING CALLED ON BY THE TEACHER, GIVING A REPORT IN CLASS, OR READING ALOUD?

DOES YOUR CHILD COMPLAIN OF "BUTTERFLIES" IN THE STOMACH, DIZZINESS, SHAKY HANDS, OR BLUSHING?

DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD BREAK OUT OF HIS OR HER SHELL?

With the right kind of care and attention, every child has the chance to overcome his or her shyness. Nurturing the Shy Child provides parents, teachers, guidance counselors and other concerned adults with the latest information and practical tools that they need to help shy and socially anxious kids. This book covers the entire shy spectrum-from shyness in only certain situations to social anxiety disorder-and provides proven methods adults can use to ease the child's discomfort, tailored to specific ages and levels of anxiety.

Unlike other books on shyness, Nurturing the Shy Child also offers much needed information on problems that can go along with shyness and social anxiety, including depression, school anxiety, separation anxiety, excessive worry, selective mutism, and more.

Written by psychologists Barbara and Gregory Markway, co-authors of Painfully Shy and respected experts in the field, this book's sensible and reassuring tone goes a long way toward preventing needless suffering in children and offers their parents some long-overdue hope.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I have been waiting for a book like this to be written. The special needs of shy children have been ignored for too long. The Markways share their tremendous understanding of childhood social anxiety, and have given us a gem of a book that every parent, teacher, pediatrician, and family friend of a shy child should read."
- Murray B. Stein MD, MPH, co-author of Triumph over Shyness: Overcoming Shyness & Social Anxiety

"The Markways understand that some children are just shy while many others experience the impairment of social anxiety, selective mutism and/or school refusal. They've created a practical guide for parents to help all such children to 'be all they can be.'"
- Christine Stanley, Executive Director, Selective Mutism Group - Childhood Anxiety Network

"This book should be required reading for all who work with shy children. Teachers will gain sensitivity toward the children and many techniques on how to better work with and support the children and their families. I wish this book had been available when I directed an early childhood program. It is easy to think back to how we could better have helped Jonathan, Alana, Brianna, Brian...."
- Kathy R Thornburg Ph.D, Director of the Center for Family Policy & Research, University of Missouri

"The Markways are wonderful writers who have demonstrated the realities that individuals suffering from anxiety endure. They have the unique ability to touch others by the stories in their book, and can explain the various anxiety disorders that enable a thorough understanding. I highly recommend this book!"
- Elisa Shipon-Blum DO, President & Director, Selective Mutism Anxiety Research & Treatment Center; CEO & Executive Medical Director, Selective Mutism Group Childhood Anxiety Network, author of Understanding Katie

About the Author

Barbara G. Markway, Ph.D., is a psychologist and co-author of Painfully Shy and Dying of Embarrassment. A nationally-recognized expert, she has appeared on Good Morning America and has been featured in The New York Times, Prevention, Women's World, Shape, and other prominent national publications. Together with her husband, Greg, she was a part of an award-winning documentary, Afraid of People, which aired throughout the country. Dr. Markway practices in Jefferson City, Missouri where she is the director of The Anxiety & Stress Management Center of Mid-Missouri.

Gregory P. Markway, Ph.D., co-wrote Painfully Shy with his wife, Barbara. He has been featured in national magazines such as Health, Men's Health, and Bottom Line Personal. Dr. Markway, also a psychologist, practices in Jefferson City and was previously an adjunct faculty member at the Washington University School of Medicine. When he's not helping others overcome their anxiety, he enjoys coaching youth baseball and offering sports enhancement services.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; 1st edition (December 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312329776
• ISBN-13: 978-0312329778
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,223,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barbara Markway, Ph.D., is a psychologist and author. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including: the New York Times, Washington Post, Today Show, and Good Morning America. Her first book, Dying of Embarrassment, has been named one of the most scientifically valid self-help books in a study published in Professional Psychology, Research and Practice.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, December 2, 2007

By 

Joelle Povolni (St. Louis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nurturing the Shy Child: Practical Help for Raising Confident and Socially Skilled Kids and Teens (Hardcover)

This book has been awesome in helping me to understand my child more and learn ways to help him over come his anxiety and fears. I would highly recommend this book!

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent book, September 19, 2011

By 

L. Koerner - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nurturing the Shy Child: Practical Help for Raising Confident and Socially Skilled Kids and Teens (Paperback)

This book was somewhat helpful. Since every child is different, it's hard to know what will work and what won't. I found a few helpful tips in the book.

3 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for me....., February 25, 2008

By 

Frustrated mommy (Springfield, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nurturing the Shy Child: Practical Help for Raising Confident and Socially Skilled Kids and Teens (Paperback)

This was a good book, but wasn't really what I was looking for to help me understand my son. My son isn't really "shy", but sometimes struggles what to say to his peers or how to act in social settings. I think this book would be a good book for someone who truly does have a shy child. It just wasn't what I was looking for.