| Having friends is a crucial part of our | | | | house. Let your child know that you are only |
| children's lives, as well as a way for | | | | a phone call away and they can come home |
| children to learn social skills. We all want | | | | anytime.It also helps to play with your child |
| our children to enjoy lasting friendships; | | | | on a regular basis. It will give you an idea |
| however, if your child is a little shy and | | | | where your child's strengths are and where he |
| seems reluctant to make friends sometimes a | | | | or she may struggle. Your child may be |
| little help from Mom or Dad is a good idea.If | | | | awesome at video games but may have a hard |
| your child is on the shy side try helping | | | | time playing checkers or doing puzzles. These |
| them by providing positive social | | | | activities may frustrate your child and |
| interactions without making them feel awkward | | | | should not be included in a play date.Try to |
| or pushed. Play dates or other social | | | | find out what the flavour of the month is. |
| interactions should be encouraged. This will | | | | Most children are often into some kind of |
| give your child a chance to hone his social | | | | fads such as certain trading cards or a |
| skills and increase his/her confidence.We | | | | special video game that everyone must have. |
| can't choose our children's friends so ask | | | | The latest trend may not thrill you but it |
| your child who he/she likes spending time | | | | offers great bonding material and gives them |
| with at school and contact the child's | | | | something in common to talk about while they |
| parents to suggest a get-together. Start by | | | | are forming a friendship.It is also very |
| inviting one child over and keep the time | | | | important to talk to your child's teacher |
| short to start with. One or two hours is | | | | about any concerns you may have and have and |
| enough time to get to know each other. Any | | | | work together on strategies to help your |
| longer and they may start to squabble.Make | | | | child make friends. Offer to volunteer in the |
| sure to provide games and activities for your | | | | classroom to get a good idea how your child |
| child that he enjoys and is good at. This | | | | interacts with his/her peers.Most importantly |
| will help ensure that your child is | | | | try not to expect too much from your child. |
| comfortable and confident. Make a few | | | | Never make your child feel like they are |
| suggestions but let your child pick the | | | | being forced to make friends. When a child is |
| activity before the play date. It is a good | | | | shy too much pressure can make a child feel |
| idea to stay involved with your child and his | | | | even more insecure. Try not to focus on it |
| potential | | | | and allow friendships to develop naturally. |
| | | | In most cases shyness and problems making |
| pal. Don't just leave them alone and hope it | | | | friends for children is normal. But If your |
| all works out. You can supervise a cooking or | | | | child constantly avoids eye |
| craft project but allow the children to do as | | | | |
| much on their own as possible. If your child | | | | contact, seems withdrawn or avoids children |
| is uncomfortable with you always being | | | | all together it is time to talk to your |
| underfoot respect his/her wishes but be | | | | family Doctor."A friend is one who believes |
| available if there are any conflicts or they | | | | in you when you have ceased to believe in |
| become bored and want to change the | | | | yourself."Monicka and Cassie are editors of |
| activity.Try to arrange regular play dates | | | | a dynamic website for parents. Self esteem |
| with the same children. If things go really | | | | building and goal setting for kids, parenting |
| well you can suggest an outing such as going | | | | advice and resources, educational games, |
| to a movie or some other activity. When your | | | | crafts and learning activities for kids and |
| child is comfortable you can suggest that he | | | | preschoolers. |
| or she has a play date at his/her friends | | | | |