[originaltext] Today we’re going to talk about shyness and discuss recent re

Today we’re going to talk about shyness and discuss recent research on ways to help children learn to get along with others socially.
    Many people consider themselves shy. In fact, forty percent of people who took part in our survey said they were shy--that’s two out of every five people. And there are studies to indicate that the tendency toward shyness may be inherited. But certain timid children doesn’t mean that they are bound to be shy forever. There is something parents, teachers, and the children themselves can do to overcome this tendency--and even to prevent it.
    Our researchers found that if parents gently push their shy children to try new things, they can help these children become less afraid and less inhibited. Another way to help shy children is to train them in social skills. For example, there are special training programs where children are taught things like looking at other children while talking to them, talking about others’ interests, and even smiling.
    These groups have been very successful in giving shy children a place to feel safe and accepted, and building up their self-esteem.