This is a paid collaboration.
Socialisation doesn’t come easy to every child and making friends can be challenging. Fortunately, this is something that parents can support their child with, using various techniques. I have teamed up with an international school in the UK to share some tips.
Be a Good Role Model
When it comes to socialising, show your child how it’s done. When chatting with your own friends in front of your youngster, demonstrate compassion and the importance of listening when someone else is talking. Essentially, you want to show your child how to hold a conversation and the sort of questions to ask others.
Practise Conversation Starters
Sometimes, shy children struggle to start a conversation, especially with someone new. Practise this at home so that when the time comes, your child feels more confident. Questions and compliments work well, such as “I like your dress, where did you get it from?” or “What did you do this weekend?”.
Arrange Playdates
Next time you’re picking your child up from school, have a chat with some of the other parents and arrange some playdates. Your child will probably feel more comfortable socialising with their peers at home, in their safe space, which will then make it easier for them to chat and play in school.
Encourage Empathy
Talk to your child about the importance of being kind, sharing and taking turns, as well as being considerate of other people’s feelings. Teach them the sort of thing they can do if someone is crying, like offer a tissue or a hug.
Promote Hobbies
Extra-curricular activities provide another opportunity for children to make friends and build upon their confidence. The more practise they have at chatting with others, the easier it will be for them in school, so it’s certainly worth encouraging them to pursue their hobbies.
