My 9 yr old has been homeschooled from the beginning and she has taken after me in the area of shyness.  I went to a public school and can say that I never had close, close friend but played well with children once I got comfortable.    My mom noticed it and is concerned it probably is the homeschooling, I not sure of what to think.  Would she be like this if she attended public School?

Observing my daughter recently, I've noticed she is struggling in this area and I'm not sure how to help.  She's involved in her Sunday school class, and particpated this month in a musical at church but noticed she does better one on one instead of a group of girls.  If there are 2 of her friends together talking or playing she has a hard time joining them, she'll just stand or sit alone.  Sometimes I will walk her over there and help get her started.   These girls she's known for years....I tried to explain that sometimes we need to make the first move and approach our friends, that we can't expect everyone to always come up to us. 

She will be attending a B-day party tomorrow she will know most of the girls there but I'm concerned that she'll sit at the sidelines and not talk to anyone,  The funny thing is my 2 year old is so outgoing and all the girls my daughters age tend to approach her, picking her up!  Now she's a social butterfly!

Has anyone experienced this before and have some ideas of how to help her overcome this area?  thanks