How to help your children make new friends
There comes a time when your kids can’t get enough of their friends and you have to drag them back into the house.
But there may also be times when your child doesn’t have many worthy friends and has a hard time making new ones.
Well, there are certain ways that you can encourage them to meet new children and develop beautiful friendships.
Having friends is not just for fun, friendship can enhance a child’s communication skills, creativity, knowledge, and other good qualities such as empathy, caring, and sharing.
Although some kids are naturally outgoing, shyness can be a barrier for other kids to developing friendships, but it’s “one of the things we can really help kids get over,” says Gail Gross, PhD, a psychologist and child development expert in Houston, Texas.
No need to turn your child into a social butterfly, but help them feel more socially secure. Absolutely possible, says Dr Gross.
Teach your child skills that will help him feel more confident and comfortable making friends.
Reasons Your Child Might Have Difficulty Making Friends
If you moved to a different city or to a different house, or if your child had to change schools, they may struggle with the change and the discomfort of starting over. However, with her support, she is able to help them adjust to the new place and people.
Some children may have a hard time making new friends because they are too shy or nervous. This can prevent them from starting conversations with new people.
Some children have social difficulties where they may not be good at communicating or reading social cues correctly. With a little help, they too can make great friends.
Try these tips and activities to improve your child’s confidence, comfort, and enthusiasm for making friends.
1. Start with small steps
If your child is already feeling uncomfortable or underconfident, pushing them to “go and talk” may not help. Instead, slowly glide them into social situations which are closer to their comfort levels. So, instead of taking them to a crowded birthday party where they hardly know anyone, maybe you can take them to the nearby park and get them to interact with the kids playing there.
2. Playing games can help bond
Almost every kid loves to play games. Depending on your child’s interests, you can help them find a friend with similar interests. If they enjoy cycling, help them find a cycling buddy – you’ll surely find some kids cycling in the evening in a nearby park.
If they like cricket, introduce them to the kids who play cricket every day. Basically, a great way to start – whether in the neighbourhood or school – is to find someone with similar interests as yours. If your kid likes crafts or jewellery making, they can have a playdate at home by inviting a kid from school or the neighbourhood who is also interested in similar activities.
3. Helping someone can build friendship
Kindness goes a long way in making a place for yourselves in people’s hearts. Teach your child to help others in need – it could be as simple as lending an extra pencil to the child sitting in front of them who forgot their pencil box at home. It could be by calling their friend to check on their health as they missed school today. If loving and caring can come easily to your kid, they’ll have a bunch of friends in no time.
4. Model friendly behaviour and let your kid follow
Parents play a huge role in modelling their children’s behaviour. If you don’t go out for an evening walk with your friends or hang out with them for dinner or anything else, your kid may pick up on your lack of social life.
If your kid is awkward at starting conversations with new neighbours, you take a plunge and you’ll see your child will soon join in. Appreciate them whenever they pick on positive behaviour, this will encourage them to repeat it.