3 yo so so shy !

Hi, Ds is almost 3 and has been going to child care 2days a week since he was about 8mnths, so he is used to the place. He loves going and has some friends who he plays with constantly. But he is so shy there, he wont say boo to the carers. They actually asked DH yesterday if he speaks at home as he doesnt really say much there. When DH said "yes: they were very happy to hear. At home its a different story, he does not shut up, contstantly yapping, can sing song, knows colors, can count etc. so i think development he is ok. At home he is extremely full on and when i told them at childcare that he is so active at home i think he has almost got ADD, they were just blown away. At home he has a littl ebbay brother to follow around and just adores him, but he is full on. How can a child be so so so different at child care to home. Anyone else?

Yep! My 3 yr old takes a loong time to warm up. She is still only watching the other kids at dance class - after 5 lessons but dances around and yaps all day long at home!

Yeah, it is so common. Don't worry too much. I have met loads of kids in childcare who hardly talk in care, but are real chatterboxes at home. Occasionally you can "catch" them when they don't think anyone from childcare can see/hear them, and hear them nattering away :)
Most do eventually warm up - don't forget that you've had since birth to have gained your child's trust. People at childcare, no matter how early they start, are 8 months [in your case] behind. No wonder, really, that he talks more with you.

yup my nearly 4 yr old was like that.. It has only been in the last 2 months he will talk to strangers. or even warm up to family quickly..

He is so hypo at home but if anyone else spoke to him he would hide behind us. Sometimes he wouldn't even get out of the car if we went to someones place

..........

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!!! :D 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 :)