Role-Playing Can Help Build Confidence
Children can learn so much when they have the opportunity to role-play with a trusted adult. Role-playing can help you to teach a shy or apprehensive child how to approach others and what to say during a first encounter. Model ways to introduce oneself and how to ask to be included in a game on the first day or anytime. Be sure to also role-play undesirable outcomes so your son or daughter knows how to respond if their good intentions are rejected.
Look for Common Interests
We all enjoy spending time with people who like the same things as we do, and this is just as true when it comes to the friendships of children. If your son or daughter is interested in making art, then tell him or her to find other children who also like art and they will have something to talk about right away. If he or she is active in sports, encourage him or her to seek out other children who also like sports, and they can practice those sports during playtime together.
Teach Good Manners
No one wants to spend time with someone with bad manners, and children can be very discerning in this realm. When it comes to learning how to help your child make friends, teaching good manners is one of the most important. Your child should know not to interrupt others when they are speaking and should be prepared to share and take turns. Demonstrating these qualities on a consistent basis will help your child with popularity not just in his or her youngest years, but throughout his or her life.
Below are some tips on how to help things go smoothly depending on the social setting:
At the playground or on playdates
- Look around for potential playmates. Find buddies by checking out those already on your radar. Your child may warm up more quickly with someone he already is familiar with. Kids in your apartment building or on your block, or those you see regularly in the park are all good bets. If you attend a mommy-and-me class or a toddler music group, see if there’s a potential pal your little one seems to gravitate to. Also, think about a buddy who shares your child’s interests, whether it’s trucks and painting or princesses and Play-Doh.
- Start slow. Too many kids can overwhelm even the biggest social butterfly, so set up playdates with just one other pal for now. The key is to expose your tot to other kids gradually. Keep the social event to an hour or two at most — kids this age tire easily — and schedule it at the time of day when your child is generally in a good mood and well fed. Morning is often ideal.
- Make it a foursome. If your toddler is hanging back or just playing side by side, plop down on the floor or ground with the other caregiver to model some good friendship skills. Chat up the other adult so your little one will hear (and possibly imitate) your friendly tone. He’ll also benefit by seeing you ask nicely for a toy, for instance, or sharing a snack.
- Keep it fair. Toddlers won’t naturally loan their toys, even to fellow truck aficionados, so head off squabbles on playdates by providing multiple vehicles, pink costumes or crayons to go around. At the playground, the same rule applies (so lots of chalk, for instance). And for both settings, think of games that stress cooperative play — hide and seek, ball playing or circle games like “Duck, Duck, Goose.”
At home, day care or school
- Play lots of pretend games. Two- and 3-year-olds naturally gravitate towards pretend play. At first it starts out small (“talking” on the phone, tucking a teddy bear into bed) but then these games become more elaborate at age 3 and beyond. Join in these flights of fantasy, and let your child be the boss. Pretend play boosts your toddler’s ability to see different points of view, which is a good base for all social encounter. Plus, it’s more cooperative too.
- Role play. Pretend you’re the other child and ask if you can join in the game or play with a toy. Then switch roles. You can also role play with your child’s stuffed animals. Rehearsing these scenarios may help your child feel more comfortable with classmates, and help him model your behavior.
- Invite day care or preschool friends to your home. First, this gives you the chance to see what your child is like in a social setting. That way, you can see what skills you might need to boost when you role play. But it also may boost your child’s self-esteem as he introduces his friend to his toys and family.
We Can Help You Learn How to Help Your Child Make Friends
At Rising Stride Child Care Centers, we want all of our young friends to develop friendships with each other in a safe and encouraging environment. Our staff has years of experience helping children to feel comfortable and loved, and this nurturing space can help them to develop relationships with others at our school and in the greater world.
We will help you learn how to help your child make friends, and we will help them grow and succeed every step of the way as well.
We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about us and we would love to meet with you and give you a tour. Contact us today for more information.