Childhood is full of exciting activities and fantastic friendships, but it can be hard for shy or nervous children to make friends easily. Opportunities for cultivating healthy conversation and friendships can happen anywhere, from the store to the playground. To help your child make friends no matter where they go, follow these helpful tips. 

3 Tips for Helping Your Child Make Friends

1. Encourage Introductions 

Make it a point to encourage introductions with your child by having them greet visitors by name. Practice welcoming your child, and having them greet you, to get used to small talk. Let them know that they can learn and share so many new things with the people they meet, and how fun it can be to make friends with new and exciting interests. When shopping or ordering at a restaurant, have your child order for themselves and speak to cashiers and waiters. This gives them plenty of opportunities to use their meet-and-greet skills. 

2. Schedule Playtime with Others

Scheduled playtime is vital for every child and is particularly helpful when it comes to making friends. Spend some time out of the house at a local playground or extracurricular activities and events. Similarly, you should set up scheduled playdates at home or a friend’s house. Your child can meet and play with other kids with the added security of an end time, ensuring they won’t be overwhelmed with no way out of the situation.  

3. Lead by Example

Meet and greet other people in front of your child and engage them in conversations regularly, such as people waiting with you in line or other parents at the playground. Your child can grow accustomed to introductions without doing it themselves, giving them time to understand and mentally prepare on their own. Your example will make a big difference and show your child that it isn’t scary to talk to new people. Remember, making friends takes practice, and your social interactions can provide the step-by-step outline needed to help them with their introductions. 

Learning Through Play Cafe in West Chester, OH, is an excellent place for your little one to make new friends and have fun! With state-of-the-art playground areas and creative activities, your child will fit right in amongst the crowd. As you relax with a cup of coffee at their full espresso bar, their staff can help your child feel comfortable with their peers, making introductions a breeze. To learn more about admissions, services, events, and their list of fantastic beverages, contact the team online or by phone at (513) 847-8133.