| It comes very naturally to some children to make | | | | • Boys make more friends from their groups and |
| friends quickly. They join groups easily and attract | | | | sport teams as these provide natural environment for |
| other children into their own play circle. They also have | | | | them to nurture their friendships |
| sufficient social skills to ensure that making | | | | Helping Introvert Children Interact Socially |
| conversations is equally easy. | | | | Many children do not feel the need to be in constant |
| If your child is in school but a loner, shy and reluctant to | | | | interaction with their peers. They prefer to spend time |
| make friends easily, it is certainly a matter of concern. | | | | reading, in artistic pursuits or in other activities that do |
| After all, other children of your child's age seem far | | | | not involve children of the same age. This is quite |
| more social and make friends with ease. | | | | natural and even healthy to a certain extent. |
| Children who interact with peers quickly are naturally | | | | However, children who are loners consistently prefer |
| sociable, make good friends in their early school years | | | | spending time on their own - and that is not. The best |
| and keep them for life. Natural as it may seem, making | | | | way of getting these children to interact with others is |
| and keeping friends is actually a gradual learning | | | | to find other children with whom they have common |
| process. | | | | interests. It is not a very good idea to force introverted |
| Parents need to exploit every opportunity to | | | | kids into too much group interaction. |
| encourage their children to develop the necessary | | | | Exposing them to a number of group interactions and |
| social skills - as well as help them with conflict and | | | | activities and allowing them to make their own choices |
| rejection. These are very much a part of peer | | | | works much better. Begin by introducing your child to |
| interaction, too. | | | | small groups - introvert children are usually far more |
| The Importance of Social Interaction | | | | comfortable in small group settings than in larger ones. |
| Social interaction is a very important aspect of making | | | | Catalyzing Social Interaction via Play Dates |
| and keeping friends. This is why it is essential that | | | | For the perfect play date, invite over children whose |
| children start interacting with children their own age. | | | | company your kid enjoys and with whom he or she is |
| The process of interaction teaches them social rules | | | | already familiar. Play dates need not be too lengthy - in |
| such as cooperation, avoiding emotional and physical | | | | fact, excessively long ones can often lead to |
| harm, and awaiting their turn. | | | | unpleasant situations, and the kids may not want to |
| It is worthwhile to teach your children these qualities in | | | | spend too much time with each other again. |
| a gentle and patient manner. Being forceful is definitely | | | | Planning a play date's activities ahead is very important. |
| NOT the ideal way of encouraging positive social | | | | This will help the children enjoy what they like the most. |
| interaction. Pressurizing is not a solution. If your child is | | | | It helps considerably when parents involve themselves |
| shy and a loner, take thing slowly and give him or her | | | | in all or most activities during a play date - this reduces |
| opportunities for rewarding social experiences that will | | | | the chances of the kids getting into conflicts. |
| create a yearning for more. | | | | Apart from the fact that the kids will be more at ease |
| Work with the aim of increasing your child's interaction | | | | with adults around, you will be able to observe what |
| with peers rather than trying to change your child's | | | | interests your child the most. To make play dates |
| personality. This compassionate approach will help your | | | | more effective, organize subsequent play dates with |
| child discover the joys of relationships with children the | | | | the same set of children. Changing the venue each |
| same age. Promote a positive social environment - | | | | time is a great idea, as the children will not get bored. |
| informal get-togethers and play dates work well. | | | | There are many reasons why some children find it |
| Gender-Specific Variations in Peer Interaction | | | | difficult to interact with peers and make friends. Shy |
| Dynamics | | | | kids cannot approach others with ease, while anxious |
| • Girls tend to focus more on friendship during their | | | | children spend more time handling their worries and |
| school years, and are more possessive about their | | | | fears. |
| friends | | | | Aggressive kids, on the other hand, may actually push |
| • Girls need and should have friendships and | | | | away potential friends. No matter what the reason is, |
| interactions different peer groups of both genders | | | | you as a parent can help your child make and keep |
| • Boys interact more with peers from playgroups | | | | friends by cultivating of opportunities and encouraging |
| and with those children with whom they share | | | | positive social skills. |
| common interests | | | | |