Tommy Turtle is a
shy land turtle who likes to hide inside his shell. Tommy represents
children who are
shy around other children and adults, and he is
nervous to play or speak. Most children are shy from time to time and it's important for children
to understand shyness and how to act around others who are or aren't shy. Children need to know that
shyness is normal, and they need
positive encouragement from peers, family, and teachers/adults in their lives. This concept teaching can start in preschool.
Children need to develop and practice social skills which will increase their
quality of life in school through drama class, music, gym class, show and tell time, play time and more, rather than staying on the sidelines and simply watching others and having
less friends and social isolation. If
confidence is learned,
self-esteem increases, and
children succeed. Less confidence promotes increased shyness. It is essential to
praise children for their successes and
not shame them at all when they fail. All
social and emotional learning helps children to
express feelings and be
tuned in to the needs of others. This teaching contributes to the development of all children.
Social acceptance and inclusion are important in social learning from an early age. The opportunity to interact with your child/children in a positive environment, such as the park in this story, illustrates the importance of a
positive environment in aiding children with
learning social skills with other children and adults. Tommy Turtle helps parents and teachers
reinforce positive behaviors in an imaginative setting of a park and mud puddles as they learn about land turtles and shyness.
Learning and sharing are essential for social development in all children.