Shy children usually score low on language skills but they are as intelligent as their peers, says a study.
The research jointly conducted by University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Connecticut, states that children who have delayed development may face problems while answering people but they share the same intellectual potential as their other mates.
"Our findings suggest that inhibited behaviors like shyness don't hamper language acquisition overall but instead relate specifically to how toddlers express themselves through words," stated the researchers, reports medical express.
The researchers studied 816 toddlers in Boulder. The participants belonged to different socio-economic class. The researchers gathered information on the infants, how they responded at various stages of their early years like at 14, 20 and 24 months. The researchers gained information based on the parents reporting and whenever the little ones made lab visits.
The little participants were made to pronounce certain words-like, aii, mamma, imitating the researchers and were also asked to answer certain questions verbally. The ability to follow instructions in the children was also noted by the researchers.
The results showed that these children need greater attention to develop enough language skills but have the same degree of intelligence as their peers.
"Shy children may need help with developing their speaking abilities," sated the researchers, in a statement. "They may benefit from interventions that target confidence, social competence, and autonomy to support the development of expressive language."
According to the researchers, the girls are shyer in nature and have greater symptoms of language disabilities compared to boys.
A recent study reveals positive interactions with elder siblings enhances vocabulary skills in toddlers.
