Making friends is an integral part in every school setting. Kids needs social support to make learning easier and more fun. Having friends to accompany you to plays and activities, help build trust, camaraderie, and other values concerned with strengthening interpersonal relationships. In order to gain friends and actually keep them, every child must learn a few skills in socializing. Here are a few things how:
Self-introductions
Teach your child the most basic introductions like, “Hi! My name is…”. Make sure that your child is delivering this in an amicable manner and appropriate tone. Also, teach them gestures of respect like keeping enough distance to newly met friends to not invade their privacy. You want them to be friendly without being too intrusive.
Empathy
At an early age, teach your child how to be sensitive of other people’s feelings and situations. Their young minds might not be able to grasp the idea having a feeling that’s not their own, but you can start by asking them how it would have felt if they were in another child’s situation. For example, when their friend fell from the bike, ask them if it were a good state to be in considering the wound their friend got on his/her knee. This will send your child into thinking in the other’s stead and will help them understand and come up to their realizations. They may resort into helping behaviors which are essential in building friendships.
Eye contact
Set a good example and look them in the eye when you are talking to them. When they do not follow just yet, explain to them the importance of keeping eye contact. Maintaining eye contact makes your listener pay more attention to your message and feel the sincerity of your message. Because you are perceived to be genuine, the more likely people will trust you and accept your friendship. This is something your child can learn from in starting up his/her squad in preschool.
Understanding nonverbal cues
Not everything is communicated through words. There are also nonverbal cues that might lead to conflict if misinterpreted. Teaching your child to understand these will not only cause them a smooth interpersonal relationship with their playmates, but will also help them better empathize with others. For instance, when their friend quiets up all of a sudden, they can interpret this as a problem that calls for their intervention. They can either inform their teacher, offer a hug to that playmate or maybe let their playmate borrow the toys he/she seems to be eyeing over.
Kids need other kids in order to cope with stress and feel significance by belonging in a group. This is only natural as they are still developing trust in the world through their peers. We, at Kids Learning Path, a child care center in Las Vegas Nevada, understand the foundations of friendships in children and its importance in the child’s willingness to learn in school. That’s why we have programs and activities that don’t only aim to enhance your child’s mental abilities but also their social skills. With our safe, loving, and creative environment that’s conducive for play and learning, your child can enjoy activities which are tailored according their inclinations, age, and interests. Interested? Call us now at 02 456 4986 or visit us at www.kidslearningpath.com!
