Friendships are important to children as they grow. You may find your child goes through a lot of friends, trying to find one that is the "right fit" for her. Or you may find your child quickly attaches to another child and they become BFFL: best friends for life. Your child may have one or two close friends or may be part of a large group of friends. Your child may go through any or all of these stages at various times in her life. They are all normal for developing children.
Making friends is one great reason to join a kids' club. Joining a club can give your child added opportunities to meet new people and make friends with someone who shares his interests. Even within a club, children with similar interests can be very different, giving your child the opportunity to learn to interact with people of all backgrounds.
So the question, as a parent, becomes how to help your child make friends in a club. Here are some suggestions:
- Look for a club with activities that interest your child. Your child will be more likely to jump in and participate in something that catches his attention than something he doesn't want to do and before he knows it, he's interacting and making friends.
- Look for a club that matches your child's personality. A quiet child would be more comfortable in a calm, controlled environment. An active child would be fine in a louder, more free environment.
- Encourage your child to give it a try. A shy child might be reluctant to get involved, even if she's dying to try the activity. A little bit of parental confidence may be all she needs to join the activities.
- Enlist the leader's help. The leader of a club can help pair up children, get them sitting together and working together.
- Meet with another parent outside of the club. If your child is very reluctant to interact during the club time, getting together with another member outside of the club will give her the opportunity to build bonds in a more casual situation. She can then bring that friendship back to the club and have a great time.
Participating in any of the many types of Kids' Clubs can provide your child with numerous opportunities, not the least of which is the chance to meet new people and build friendships. By carefully choosing the clubs for your child and working with a few simple tips, you can help him find friends that he'll enjoy for a long time to come.