Strong friendships are also important for their self-esteem and sense of belonging. Here are some ways you can support them in this area.
Help your child to discover his strengths and interests to help him choose the right place for him to learn social skills. Whatever your child enjoys, it is likely there are opportunities to teach social skills in your community and for him to join with others. For social skills teaching ideas, contact community resources such as the local library, church youth group, or other clubs or community parks.
Your child will benefit from social skills teaching inherent in social interaction outside the school setting. With your encouragement, even reluctant and shy children can be taught social skills through interaction with others through activities. Many relationships he builds will flow naturally back into the school environment.
Teach social skills by rehearsing social situations ahead of time. Role play meeting a new person with each other. Take turns being the greeter and “greetee.” Teach your child the art of getting others to talk about themselves. Help him see that by doing this, he can learn about his peers and find common interests. Kids can use friendly and polite questions to encourage kids to talk and break the ice. Focusing on others will also help your child feel less self-conscious. Help your child learn how to choose good friends to develop healthy relationships.
Teach your child social skills needed to make friends by helping him learn and practice children’s games and activities at home that are popular at school. Aside from being a good way to practice skills such as reading, counting, and fitness, learning these games will help your child participate in them with other children
Create a circle of friends by encouraging playtime with a few neighborhood children. Invest in some quality time and snacks, and you’ll grow friendships that may stay with your child throughout high school, maybe even for life. Friends from the same class at school can provide important social and emotional support.
