6 Things Parents Can Do To Help Children Get Friends

Illustration (Trinity Cubansek/Pexels)

JAKARTA - Friendship is one of the greatest sources of pleasure in children's lives. Not only that friendship is also important for children's development. Friendship is the basis for life skills such as listening to other people, solving problems, and expressing oneself. Friendship can also make children more confident. As children get older, friendships begin to play a bigger role in their emotional and personal lives.

If children don't have this relationship, over time it can have a serious impact on their mood, confidence, and function of life. Going to school every day can be a test. Using social media can cause depression. Lonely children often feel rejected, invisible, or feel something is wrong with themselves.

For this reason, parents play an important role here. There are several things parents can do in helping their children make friends, either at school or in the environment around where they live.

If children have difficulty asking if someone wants to hang out, for example, you can work with them to make plans on how to do it. Dr. How come Vibert, PsyD, a psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, reports the Child Mind Institute page, Friday, November 8, recommends having Plan A and Plan B in case. "If children feel lonely and then they put themselves in a vulnerable position to contact someone, I think parents can help them figure out what to do if the plan doesn't work." Having a plan B can also help children feel more confident when doing it.

For children who are struggling with social skills, try to give them a lot of opportunities to train at their own speed in a supportive environment. Train children about things they find challenging. You can practice resolving conflicts or paying attention to when someone loses interest in an activity. And try playing a role to give them experience. Relatives and family can also help so they train with a lot of people.

Children who feel anxious or depressed tend not to want to leave the house.

"When the child says he wants to stay at home, it's hard to determine how big the push should be," said Michelle Kaplan, LCSW, a licensed social worker.

If your child acts like this, you as a parent can acknowledge these feelings first. Then, remind them that they will have fun once they are there and give a lot of support and praise for doing something challenging.

Finding and starting the topic of conversation is not easy. However, parents should teach their children about this. For example, by inviting children to sit down and eat together when they come home from school. Try to chat and discuss topics that attract children's interests that they may talk about with other children.

Children are sometimes reluctant to start something. So, parents have to give a lure so that they want to be proactive. Get used to children to face small groups first. When it is complete, then invite the child to join a large group. That is important for parents to do so that their children can build their confidence.

Parents can avoid or ignore difficult social situations for their children. But this habit is better not to do because children will not learn to improve their relationship. Dr Vibert recommends that shy children be pushed from a comfort zone into a new situation with a gentle approach.