The Effect of Water Recreational Activities on Reducing Social Anxiety in Shy Children Aged 12–15

Abstract

This study targets shy children in late childhood and early adolescence (12–15 years old), who suffer from social anxiety and difficulty interacting with others. It stems from a fundamental problem: the lack of effective and safe indirect intervention methods to address this type of anxiety. Therefore, a water recreational program was designed that takes into account the psychological and age characteristics of these children. The study aimed to measure the impact of this program on reducing social anxiety. The researcher used a descriptive survey approach, and the program was implemented on a sample of (14) shy children selected based on a shyness scale. The results showed statistically significant differences in favor of the post-test, confirming the effectiveness of water activities in enhancing social interaction. The study recommends the use of these activities in school and educational programs to support groups with special psychological needs. It also calls for training educational staff on the use of aquatic therapeutic recreation as a psychological support tool. This model is a promising approach to enhancing self-confidence and achieving positive social adaptation in shy children.