Friendship is an important part of everyone’s life, especially for children. One of the most important things in your child’s development is having social skills and being able to become friends with other kids. All children are different when it comes to socializing, some are extrovert – they get easily make friends, while others can be introverts-they’re shy, it’s hard for them to take the first step towards making friends.
If your child is having trouble finding friends, here’s how you can help him be more social:
1. Your home should be always open for his friends
Encourage your child to invite his friends in his home. As a parent, get every social game you can so they can interact and have fun together. Remember that 6,7 year old can’t organize themselves, so take things into your own hands.
2. Don’t ignore birthday invitation and always celebrate your child’s birthday
If really not fair your child to miss out birthdays just because you’re too busy. If you can’t take him, find a sibling that has the time to take him. These kind of parties are great for making friends and socializing. Always celebrate your child birthday and invitee all his friends.
3. Get him involved in group activities
Every group activity is great. Sign him up for basketball, football, and even dancing. This way your child will socialize with lots of kids that share the same interests.
4. Play with your child
Play his favorite game with him. This way you’ll get the chance to learn more about him, see what he does wrong and also teach him good things.
5. But don’t get involved in the game while he’s with his friends
This way you can make him feel embarrassed. So stay away when he’s playing with his friends.
6. Don’t involve him in group activities if he doesn’t want to
Don’t force your child to do something that he doesn’t like. Forcing him you’ll only make him upset and stressed.
7. Explain your child the basic social rules
Children don’t want to be surrounded with kids who don’t know how to play, kids who argue all the time, kids who hit other kids, kids who cry all the time and etc. It’s really important to teach your child the basic, social rules like: unselfishness, having a positive attitude, having good manners, fair play…
8. Be a good friend
Try to be kind and friendly with people around you. Kids learn from their parents, so don’t do things that you don’t want your child to do.
Read more: How to raise a healthy child