Does Your Kid Have a Hard Time Making Friends? There is a Right Way to Help Them, Expert says: ‘A lot of Parents go Too far’
Source:https://www.cnbc.com/
Recent data from the University of Michigan reveals that 19% of parents believe their child has no friends or not enough friends, while over half (52%) cite factors like shyness or social awkwardness as barriers to forming connections. Dr. Sarah Clark, a research scientist, emphasizes the difficulty of watching children struggle socially, describing it as a “slow motion train wreck.” While parents naturally want to help their children make friends, Clark advises that they should facilitate social interactions without taking control, as many well-meaning parents tend to over-involve themselves.
Here are two tips for helping your child make more friends without overstepping:
1. Put them in proximity of other kids: To help children socialize, consider taking them to busy parks or arranging playdates with parents of kids their age. This exposure can boost their comfort in social situations. It’s important to choose settings that match your child’s personality; for shy children, smaller group activities or classes might be more suitable than crowded places. Once they are in the company of other kids, parents should step back and allow the children to navigate their interactions without intervention, as trying to control the situation can hinder their social development.
2. Model what it’s like to be a good friend: Children learn social behaviors by mimicking adults. When they observe you apologizing or helping others, they grasp essential friendship skills. Actions like assisting a neighbor or supporting friends illustrate the give-and-take of relationships. It’s beneficial to verbalize these behaviors as part of being a good friend.
However, it’s important for parents not to intervene too much when kids struggle socially. Allowing children to navigate friendships, even through failures, is crucial for their growth. While it can be difficult to watch them face challenges, these experiences teach valuable lessons about social dynamics. Ultimately, you can guide them to potential friends, but genuine connections must develop organically.
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