Get your pre-schooler to make friends

Is your child shy and reluctant to talk? Your kid may be a loner at school and this may be a cause of worry for most parents. Read on to find out how you as a parent can help you kid make friends with the help of these tips.

1. Playtime

Bonding while playing with kids at school is the best way to learn social rules such as cooperating, being polite and waiting for their turn. Also taking your child every day to the local park is a good idea as this breeds familiarity which ultimately helps bond friendship.

2. Encouragement

Gently encourage positive social interaction without being too pushy. The goal is to give your child opportunities for rewarding social experiences that will leave her wanting for more. Being shy and cautious isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Rather than changing your child\'s personality help her discover the joys of relationships.

3. Play-dates

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.

4. Group activities

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.

5. Give your kid some space

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.

6. Get his teacher to help

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.

7. Compliments

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.

8. Set an example

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.

9. Learn from cartoons

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.’

10. Don\'t force your child

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.

11. See a professional

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