They love talking and playing with friends. Others

need more encouragement, and that’s okay. Here are ways you can help:

1. Practice social skills. Teach your child to say “please,” “thank-you,” “bye-bye.” Work on sharing, talking, listening and problem solving.

2. Encourage friendships. If your child doesn’t have any friends, start by arranging one-on-one play dates. Praise her strong social skills and give her lots of practice in developing any weaker ones.

3. Talk about feelings. It’s better for kids to express themselves than to hold things in. Help your child find words to explain her feelings: happy, sad, disappointed, excited, etc. Role-playing is another way to improve this skill.

4. Build self-esteem. Children who feel good about themselves usually relate better with others. Hobbies, responsibilities and good family relationships build self-confidence. It’s also important to compliment kids when they’ve done something well.

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