A parenting expert has warned against labelling children with common descriptors like "shy" and "smart."

Parenting expert Gen Muir says constantly referring to your children as smart, shy, and other descriptors can be damaging to their sense of self.

"What are we doing when we label a kid as shy or smart, especially with those negative labels like shy...they can become a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy," Muir said.

Muir said, although they are often said in passing, they could have a negative impact on a child's personality. 

"That child (might feel) like they can't really be outside of that, because it feels like that shyness is sort of intrinsic to who they are."

"I don't want to stress parents out...we're all going to say good boy, and we're all going to call them

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