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For some kids, making friends comes so easy. It seems like they don’t have any problem with forming bonds with other kids they meet in the park, the playground, or at school. For other children, however, socializing is not as simple, and they have a much harder time finding peers they can genuinely connect with.
6 phrases to help a child who struggles in social situations
Even simple conversations with your child at home can serve as ways for you to help him become more comfortable in social situations. Here are 6 things you can use to open up that dialogue with your little one.
1. “What do you think it means to be a good friend?”
Even young children can understand big topics that adults discuss, as long as they are tackled in ways that make sense to the kids. This includes friendship. By asking this question, you help your child learn what being a good friend means, which can then help him discern positive connections later on.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW2. “How can you approach someone you want to befriend?”
Psychology Today writes that social skills are to be treated like any other skill your child needs to learn — these are to be honed with time and practice. This simple question can lead the way to interactive methods you can use to improve your little one’s social skills, like role-play, games, and simple discussions.
3. “What are your strengths and talents?”
Maybe your child struggles in social situations, but he also has his talents, hobbies, and unique interests. Build on these and use them as a stepping stone to help your child become comfortable in social settings. You can encourage him to participate in activities where he can meet other kids who share his interests.
4. “I notice you were quiet at the birthday party today. Can you tell me why?”
Instead of simply giving your child a lecture on how to deal with his struggles in social situations, allow him to describe his struggles himself. If he’s not much of a talker, you can share something you observed about his behavior and ask what he thinks about it, then work on that to eventually help him figure out how he can deal with those issues.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch now5. “You often complain about how your classmate treats you. How would you like her to treat you instead?”
Maybe your child’s struggles in social settings are rooted in him receiving bad treatment from his peers. Give him a chance to talk about these encounters, acknowledge them, and then help him work towards a way to address them. You can even use this to teach your child about how the proper ways friends should act.
6. “Did I ever tell you about my friendships when I was your age?”
Don’t underestimate the value of sharing your own experiences with friendships with your child! Motherly says doing so can help open up your child’s thought process and give him ideas on how he can step out of his shell.
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