Developing and maintaining friendships is a dynamic process. It comes naturally to some children, but others can be coached to be more social.
- Teach social skills such as how to start up a conversation, how to be a good winner and loser, and how to hold the interest of others during a conversation.
- Provide opportunities for your child to have friends at your place after school or on weekends so that friendships can develop.
- Encourage your child to participate in out-of-school activities or groups that may provide opportunities to meet new people away from the peer groups at school. Friendships formed through shared interests are often very strong.
- Limit the time spent in solitary activities if your child appears to have few friends. Be humane and kind but don’t be afraid to insist children mix with others of their own age.
- Expose your child to a variety of different children to help them find like-minded souls.