In the wake of the COVID lockdowns, many have realized more than ever that quality socializing is a tremendous contributor to positive mental health.
Amongst many other tragic consequences of the pandemic, children who were young during those times may now find their social skills have been stunted and are struggling to readjust to social settings. With the help of apps like ABCmouse, children are able to get the support that they need when it comes to learning and doing new things from home. COVID may not be with us as prevalent anymore, but it’s still something we’re all very aware of and have to remember when it comes to setting up learning from home.
Photo by Artem Kniaz on Unsplash
Though guiding our children to help them develop healthy relationships with other kids is a tricky task, and we often feel like we’re meddling in their business when doing so, here are a few tips you can use to naturally assist them in social environments.
Having Friends Round
The home is the starting place when creating healthy social interactions for kids. Playdates can be used as chances to teach children how to share, cooperate, and communicate.
To get your children around their friends when not in school, try to develop relationships with the parents of your child’s classmates; often, if you have their children around the house, they’ll accommodate yours as well, giving you and your kids a chance to have some free time.
Don’t underestimate the role of play in your child’s early development. Along with creating healthy social habits, particularly for toddlers, playdates enhance cognitive functions and problem-solving skills, teaching them how to work effectively in a group.
Alternatively, if you aren’t the most comfortable host, there are so many more safe play environments for your child. Parks and Birthday Party Venues are examples among many.
Discovering Your Child’s Interests
A good way of pushing your child through any social apprehension is to identify and support their passions.
Whether it’s sports, art, or music, once you have identified an interest of your child, you can provide opportunities to meet like-minded peers and foster meaningful interactions.
Some critical social benefits to finding and encouraging your child’s interests are:
- Helping Build Confidence: When participating and achieving in activities they love, children will gain boosts in confidence and self-esteem. They are then likely to carry these benefits into social situations and approach other kids with enthusiasm and openness, making it easier for them to initiate conversations and form connections.
- Finding Common Ground: Shared interests create natural conversations, talking for your child, therefore, becomes more straightforward, allowing them to bond with others over mutual interests. Once again these positive experiences with like-minded kids of their age will encourage them to talk to everyone.
- Encouraging Group Participation: Many hobbies involve group activities. Think, for example, of team sports, band practice, or art classes. Participation in these group settings encourages teamwork and the development of interpersonal skills.
- Expanding Social Circles: Pursuing interests outside school introduces children to a broader circle of friends. This diversity allows them to connect with peers from various backgrounds, enhancing their understanding of different viewpoints.
Final Thoughts
As parents, we must realize we play a role in how our children act around other people. Sometimes it’s best to lead by example, so be as approachable as possible. By investing time and energy in helping your child build socialization skills, you are investing in their future wellbeing and eventual transition to adulthood.
Online communication can have a tremendously positive impact on your child’s social development however, and it’s essential that parents know about its potential dangers for both themselves and their children.
Luckily, most of these dangers online are easily avoidable, click here, for some tips on how to keep your child safe online.
