Get your pre-schooler to make friends

You can promote socializing within your child by inviting his friends at home or keeping a small get together. You could organize a toy party where every child gets a toy to share with others. This inculcates very important quality of sharing in them which helps harbor friendships.

Your child loves pretend play, cooking projects, reading or puzzles. You could organize any activity of his choice. Even better get them into groups or teams so they get to work closer.

Instead of being overprotective give them some freedom. Give your child and his friends time to themselves to play and enjoy while you monitor only at regular intervals.

Ask his school teacher to support your child in your endeavor. Request her to observe your child for any negative behavior like hitting and restrain him from those habits. With her help avoid any instances of being bullied by others at school as your child would get even more reticent.

Complimenting goes a long way in building confidence. Your child needs to be self-assured about his interactions with others. ‘So nice of you to share your toy with him’, ‘You did so well there’, such comments boost their self-esteem.

While they play with the kids you can talk to the parents. They will learn to interact by observing you do the same with your peers.

Watching cartoons or kid movies where the characters enjoy being with friends. While watching ask your child questions like ‘why is Winnie the pooh sad’, ‘what will make Tigger happy’, ‘See how they are enjoying with friends.’

Bear in mind that you do not over focus on this issue as it could backfire. Sometimes children are born with a temperament that makes them sensitive and have a more difficult time in warming up than others. Not being vocal or social is just another phase. Keep up with your efforts without being brash and judgmental. Your efforts will definitely payback with a matter of time.

However, if social isolation is a long standing and persistent problem, you should take recourse with school counselors, pediatrician and if needed child psychologists.

But overall, you have to always provide shy children with lots of love and attention. All children thrive when they feel loved and cared for.