Top 6 Tips to Teach Social Skills and Help Kids Make Friends

1. Build Social Skills - Encourage Participation in Extra-Curricular Activities

Developing Social Skills - Participating in School and Community Activities is a Good Start

Surprisingly, many children in special education programs do not participate in extracurricular activities. Help your child discover what his extra-curricular strengths and interests are. Whatever your child enjoys, it is likely there are opportunities in your community for him to join with others for learning and building relationships. For ideas, contact community resources such as the local library YMCA, church youth group, 4-H clubs, scouting organizers, or community parks and recreation staff.

2. Activities with Others Help LD Kids Build Social Skills and Make Friends

Developing Social Skills - Participating in Activities Away from School

Your child will benefit from social interaction outside the school setting. With your encouragement, even reluctant or shy children can learn to interact with others through activities. Many relationships he builds will flow naturally into the school environment. Just as importantly, non-disabled students will have the opportunity to see your child in successful roles outside of school and get to know him as a friend, rather than an acquaintance.

3. Help Kids Develop Friendships and Social Skills in Easy-to-Manage Steps

Developing Social Skills with Easy Step-by-Step Tasks

Teach your child to develop friendships in small, easy steps. This skill may not come easily for them. Children with disabilities may feel intimidated by other kids, and they may find it too uncomfortable to try to reach out to them. Help your child work on these skills by setting small goals. Ask your child to smile and greet one new child each day. Just say, "Hi." This is often enough to reduce the pressure and begin some conversations that build toward relationships. Each night, have a friendly chat about his day and who he met.

4. Building Social Skills and Making Friends Takes Practice

Practicing Social Skills - Role Play Social Situations

Some children benefit from rehearsing social situations ahead of time. Role play meeting a new person with each other. Take turns being the greeter and "greetee." Teach your child the art of getting others to talk about themselves. Help him see that by doing this, he can learn about his peers and find common interests. Kids can use friendly questions to encourage kids to talk and break the ice. Focusing on others will also help your child feel less self-conscious. Help your child learn how to choose good friends to develop healthy relationships.

5. Work on Game and Sportsmanship Social Skills in Advance

Practice Social Skills with Your Child at Home

Help your child learn and practice games and activities at home that are popular at school. Aside from being a good way to practice skills such as reading, counting, and fitness, learning these games will help your child participate in them with other children, while reducing the impact of his learning disability on his ability to play. He will feel more confident and enjoy his interaction with others if he knows the games and can play them with some skill. Consider making your house the hangout for outdoor fun.

6. Schedule Fun Time to Make Social Skills and Making Friends a Priority

Create a circle of friends by encouraging playtime with a few neighborhood children. Invest in some quality time and snacks, and you'll cultivate friendships that may stay with your child throughout high school, maybe even for life. Friends from the same class at school can provide important social and emotional support, and not to mention, occasional homework help when a worksheet or assignment fails to make it from school to your house.