Non-Pushy Ways Parents Can Help Shy Kids Make Forever Friends
Does your child find it too difficult to play with new kids? You know they’re supposed to step outside their comfort zone, but it seems like it’s just too hard for them. Despite how it feels now, you can help them make friends without being pushy or expecting them to be someone they’re not.
The first thing you need to do is ask your child, “What makes this hard? Why do you avoid trying new things and joining in?” The beauty of asking questions is that it allows the child to identify — for themselves — why this is the case and what lies outside their comfort zone.
Your child may truly not know what to do or how to join in. So, here’s how to help your shy child break out of their shell.
Three ways parents can help shy kids make forever friends:
1. Identify something new that each of you can try
Make a pact with your child to take each step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Work on something hard for you, and your child will work on this. Let them pick any activity, group, or sport that they can just show up to.
Introduce the concept of the “comfort zone tool.” We all know how it feels to tackle something outside our comfort zone — all the more when it’s something hard for us.