If your child has a difficult time making new friends, here are a few ways you can help your child.
Sports
If your kid has a natural affinity for a certain sport like soccer or volleyball or baseball, why not enroll them in a local sports team where they can meet like-minded kids? Look through your community newsletter, your town newspaper or ask other parents if they know of any recommended sports teams. This, however, requires a commitment from you, the parent, as well, as you will be taking your child to practice one to two times a week and their games once a week. More than likely, you will also need to pay for their sports equipment and uniforms, so make sure you don't mind participating for the long haul.
National Organizations
The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are great ways for kids to make new friends. Usually, these "troops" are comprised of 5 to 15 boys or girls, so if your child is shy, they will not feel overwhelmed by too many other kids. These organizations usually have weekly meetings and fun monthly activities like horseback riding, camping and hiking. These groups focus on teamwork and leadership skills, so your child will be able to make terrific friends.
Church Organizations
If you are a member of a local church, more than likely, they will have a youth group your child can easily join. These youth groups usually meet once a week right before or after your usual church service or mass. A church youth group focuses on building a closer relationship to God and teaching the children about morals, teamwork, leadership, religion, humbleness, trust and honesty. These are great lessons for your child to know and they will be surrounded by other children who are striving to learn the same values. This is definitely not a bad group of friends for your child to have.
Party
If your child's birthday is coming up or if you like celebrating Halloween, why not throw your child a birthday or Halloween party? Your child can give invitations to everybody in his/her classroom, as well as neighborhood children. Kids love parties and games and your child will be the center of attention. This will not only give you a chance to teach your child about being a great host/hostess, but it will also put many new children in front of your child. Since your child will be on his/her own turf, so to speak, he/she may feel more at ease and be able to approach the other children more naturally.
Hobbies
If your child has a favorite hobby like sewing or playing the guitar, why not enroll your child in some related after-school activities with other children? If your child likes sewing, why not enroll her in a children's sewing course where she can meet other girls who love to sew as well. Maybe she wants to learn karate or a new language? Scan your local newspaper and Yellow Pages to find a group course that will teach her how to do this.
