My middle child (DS) is like this. He is 5yo and started school this year. I was sooo worried at the start of the year because he basically won't talk to people he doesn't know at all for several days. I almost looked into enrolling him into a pre-prep centre. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that he is a bright boy who also loves routine... he is very organised and follows instructions extremely well.

Well I needn't have worried! He has taken to school like a duck to water!!! He is still quiet but does seem more relaxed... no more separation anxiety. His teacher is fantastic though... I attribute alot to her. I was aksed what kind of teacher would suit my DS before he started. There are 4 Prep teachers at his school. I suggested that he would do well with a teacher that is fairly firm (like me LOL) and keeps the class fairly calm because my DS really freaks when things get noisy etc. and doesn't respond well to highly animated people... really doesn't like women with shrill laughs etc. I know this sounds a bit like pandering. But maybe because he is my middle child I see that at home he cops it from both sides. He has a high energy little brother and a loud 14yo sister and I really think this poor kid needs a bit of a break! LOL

Another thing: I don't call him "shy" infront of him. If an adult (like a doctor etc) starts asking him questions and he just turns away or looks like he is about to burst into tears I sometimes spell out "s..h..y". I'm aware that I don't want to give him a lable that he starts thinking of himself as IYKWIM?

I hope your child grows out of their shyness... I was a shy child too... I was forced to grow out of it in a few ways (my parents moved around a lot making me change schools etc) so I had to learn to open up a bit. Good work acknowledging your child's sensitivity