How Kids With Social Anxiety Can Make Friends
Social anxiety not only affects adults, but children as well. This can be difficult to diagnose at first, but once you realize this is what your child has, you can then help them manage it. With kids being in school and often forced to participate in group projects and oral presentations, this can be really hard to deal with. Making friends is another thing that is hard for kids with anxiety. Here are some ways you can help your kids make friends even if they have social anxiety.
They Can Join Groups or Clubs
One good way to help kids make new friends is by having them join groups or clubs. While this can be a little worrisome for kids at first, they soon make a lot of friends simply by accident. They are more focused on the sport or activity, instead of feeling pressured to be social. Kids then realize it is easier to make friends with similar interests, which is why these groups are so important. This can be anything from a hobby they enjoy to joining a local sports team.
You Can Set up Playdates
If you have a kid with social anxiety, it might be hard for them to be the one to approach someone else, especially at school with a group of kids. If they feel too intimidated, you can try setting up playdates. This allows your child to be one-on-one with another kids, which is much easier to handle. Many playdates turn into lifelong friends, and help kids feel more confident in socializing with other kids as well.
Children Get Practice With Siblings and Cousins
Don’t underestimate the power of being social with their family members. Your child might have social anxiety around people they don’t know, but they probably feel more comfortable while around siblings or just one or two of their cousins. Set up more playdates with family members so they get used to being social and can work on their own confidence.
Teach Them Relaxing Strategies
There are also quite a few relaxation and calming strategies you can teach your kids when they are too afraid to talk to other kids. This can be anything from breathing exercises, to being relaxed while coloring or participating in other creative activities. Giving them something else to focus will relax them and reduce all those fearful thoughts they have.