My shy child is having trouble making friends at school, what do I do?

1. Practice role play – By using role play with your child, you’ll allow them to become more comfortable with situations and, can allow time to think of different ways to respond without pressure.
2. Understand communication – Teaching our children the basics of communication at a young age will be the foundation of their social skills. Simple things such as a smile or good eye contact when meeting someone will make the task less daunting.
3. Common interest – Finding people with a similar interest is the easiest way to spark a conversation. Teaching them conversation openers such as “I really love rugby; can I please play with you guys” is a good way for your child to bond with other children through a mutual activity.

Read more on overcoming shyness here.