Many children are shy, hiding behind the legs of a parent or wishing not to be the centre of attention when a stranger visits. However, with a little time, most children soon lose their inhibitions and will be the visitor’s biggest fan by the end of the day.

Lack of confidence is something altogether different. It can be very frustrating for the child and can lead to bullying by other, more self-assured children.

One effective way to help your child gain confidence is to identify their strengths and talents - perhaps there is something they do as a hobby - and not only praise them, but suggest they might like to join a relevant class to build on their skill, meeting other like-minded people.

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Joining an after-school activity is a wonderful way for your child not only to socialise but to have fun, with the potential of making new friends along the way.

Naturally, there are things that you can be doing at home which may improve the situation. For example, try not to compare siblings but accept that they are different people. Listen to and encourage them.

When your child does something wrong, make sure the criticism is constructive, so as not to squash their fledgling self-esteem. Of course it is difficult, children can be little terrors at times, but curb the sarcasm and remember that children take things literally.

Most importantly, though undoubtedly this already occurs in your home, ensure your child develops a strong sense of love and security; make sure they know that they are a very much valued member of the family, for all of their faults or talents. Tell your child regularly how much you love them.

With the right encouragement, both inside the home and externally, you should start to see your child gradually gain confidence, before growing into a happy individual.