Making friends and learning social skills is one of the most important benefits of any early schooling program. If your child is in a preschool program or getting started at elementary school, it may be difficult for them to get started socializing with the other kids, particularly if they’re a bit shy. However, there are ways you can encourage them and make their experience at school more fun.

3 Tips for Helping Your Child Socialize in Kindergarten or a Preschool Program

1. Observe Their Behavior

Different kids socialize differently. Some may have no trouble making friends at school, while others may experience a ton of anxiety. It’s important to have a clear idea of your starting point before making suggestions. However, keep in mind that your child’s behavior at school may be different than it is at home. If possible, talk to their teacher or attend school events to see how they naturally interact with other kids. Notice where their difficulties or roadblocks lie, and then shape your suggestions around those.

2. Practice at Home

Your child may be nervous about approaching other kids at school because they simply don’t know where to start. If you can give them some ideas and then build their confidence at home, those nerves may subside a bit at school. To help them, pretend you’re a kid at school, and allow them to start conversations with you, giving them praise and suggestions along the way.

3. Identify Common Interests

Common interests are always useful when socializing with new people. If your child has a particular hobby or topic of discussion that may be popular with other kids, encourage them to use that. If they love sports, they might ask another kid to start a pickup game during recess. They might even wear a shirt with their favorite cartoon character on it, so other kids who love that same character will know they share that common interest.

If you’re looking for a preschool program where your child will feel welcomed and comfortable, look no further than Guilford Child Development in Greensboro, NC. The child care provider offers a wide array of services to help kids and their families reach their full potential. These include pre-kindergarten, head-start programs, behavioral services, and even kids’ food program. Established in 1967, the organization takes pride in keeping services affordable so families throughout the area can access quality child care services. To learn more about the preschool program, request more information online or call (336) 887-8224.