Making friends and building positive relationships isn’t necessarily a natural instinct. It’s a learned behavior that takes practice and effort, even for happy, healthy children. Most kids go through stages that can make developing social skills a struggle, whether it’s a reluctance to share, trouble regulating emotions, or just overall shyness. These tips can help your kids build the confidence and skills they need to enjoy positive interactions with their peers while building healthy relationships with others.
1. Sign Them Up for Sports Leagues
Playing a sport can be a big commitment for most families because it often requires both time and financial commitment. However, athletics has numerous benefits for developing children. Not only is physical activity great for their health, but it also teaches children how to work as part of a team, be gracious winners and losers, and develop grit when things get tough. It’s also a new opportunity to interact with peers and build new friendships.
Soccer and baseball are excellent options that tend to have plenty of community opportunities for a variety of skill levels. These sports are also easy to practice at home without having to invest in expensive equipment. So, help your kids pick out some cool new baseball gloves and get them excited about trying something new that’s good for their body and their mind.
2. Schedule Plenty of Play Dates
While kids do have some time to interact with their peers at school, there’s rarely enough time at recess and lunch to really work on some of those tougher social skills, such as sharing, compromising, and collaborating. Play dates give kids the opportunity to socialize outside of school in a more real-world environment where there is more freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. There are many options that can be very helpful, from virtual video chats to meeting up at a friend’s house. If you find it hard to schedule something with one friend, make it a habit to visit a local park or playground at least once a week so your child can still play with others on a routine basis.
3. Have a Family Game Night
If you don’t already have a family game night at least once a week in your home, it’s time to add it to your calendar. Game nights are an excellent way to spend quality time with your children while encouraging open communication. Some games help them learn the value of teamwork, while others help them learn that it’s ok to lose. When children have the opportunity to deal with disappointment within the safety of the home, they can learn how to cope with it in healthy ways when they’re at school or at play. Remember, the game night doesn’t have to be a huge affair; keep it simple with a favorite treat or snack and 30-60 minutes of gameplay.
4. Model Healthy Social Interactions at Home
Social skills require learning and practice. Most young children learn best by observing others first. Your kids will learn how to interact with others largely by watching you. Make sure that you intentionally model all of the traits you want your child to develop, including your interactions with other adults and with your kids.
While it’s a huge responsibility, taking control of your actions and responses will speak volumes to your kids. In addition, it’s important that you communicate and help them understand the importance of showing patience, speaking with kind words and a kind voice, and finding positive ways to calm down when they’re feeling angry or upset. Help them discover methods and tools that work for them so they can apply them to real-life situations outside of the home.
As a parent, there are many ways you can set your children up for success to enjoy healthy and happy relationships. Give them as many opportunities as possible to interact with family and their peers so they can build these skills with confidence.
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