Now, after the recent unknown events and the Corona epidemic, the social world of our children is expanding and returning to its previous normal state, and parents are thinking about how to help their young children make friends in the environment. Prepare outside. To be honest, this situation can be very difficult for children and adults. As we deal with the unknown feelings and fears of moving from this situation to a new one, my son reminds me of one thing: “You never lived through an epidemic as a kid!” And he is telling the truth!
A year and a half isn’t long for an adult, but my 5-year-old has spent a quarter of his life at home playing with his siblings and missing out on that special preschool experience. Every family has a different level of comfort and luxury, and I try to prepare my children to know their own privacy and respect the privacy of others.
As my family slowly resumes relationships with neighbors and acquaintances and prepares to go to school, I also spoke with Dr. Tracy Baxley, an education coach who is also a mother of five, about how to reduce anxiety and talked about empowering young children to cope with the social environment.
“Isolation and quarantine were very difficult, especially when we needed each other the most,” says Dr. Baxley. “This distance affected our mental health and the health of our children. In a world where we needed more empathy and connection with others during the Corona pandemic and social unrest, we were denied Our children are all of these things. Basic human contact is lost when we need it most.”
7 tips to help your children find a friend
Be ready for more support
Dr Baxley says: ‘I think at this point your children need a little more support. Given that we’ve just come out of this situation, I think it’s not a bad idea to pay more attention to them at first. I think parents should be more patient with their children. You have to be a safe hug for them so that they can deal with these feelings.” Dr. Baxley also said that sharing our experiences and feelings with children helps them cope better with the different emotions they may be experiencing.”When you tell your children that you have the same feeling, they understand that this is something It’s normal and it happens to everyone. For example, tell them something like this: “I felt this way when I was going to go back to work.
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They have a positive attitude
Dr. Baxley said, “It is very important to be able to teach them positively about the power of friendship.” Friendship teaches them empathy and compassion, and how to trust and criticize. It teaches them how to treat others, how to trust, how to be honest and kind, and how to create secure privacy for themselves.
Be proactive, but start small
When you’re faced with a challenge or big change, like entering a school building after virtual training or joining a new playgroup for the first time, Dr. Baxley recommends starting small. For example, take the initiative to create small friendship circles to socialize with others or try starting with single or two-player games. For children who return to school after a while, it is advised to take advantage of the opportunities that are given to children to get to know each other and the teacher in the classes, to find a new friend.
Your children claims
“I always think things work better when role-playing at home,” says Dr. Baxley. The more you think about something in advance and anticipate the situation, the better.” She recommends playing with dolls to simulate different situations that may arise when your child interacts with peers. Pretend you are a new friend who wants to play with others or someone who is stressed and worried because they don’t know anyone. Dr. Baxley says: Reviewing these roles and scenarios in children’s minds can help them feel calm and think to themselves that it feels familiar when such situations arise. “
Remind your children who he has
It’s normal for kids (and even adults!) to feel anxious when they’re facing major life changes or new relationships. If your toddler is nervous about going to school or playing in the park, Dr. Baxley recommends reminding him of the people he feels safe around. “It is important to talk to your child about this. For example, ask them, ‘Whenever you feel anxious, who do you like to talk to?’ These people could be parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers, counselors, or even a new friend.”
Make a plan
What can your child do or say if they feel lonely or cranky? What would he do if he was in a new place where he didn’t know anyone? Is he (or someone else) wearing a mask? Planning will help your child break out of the water into new social spaces. “Help them think about the difficult situation they might be in,” says Dr. Baxley.
Get help from baby experts
If you are transitioning from a pandemic to normal, talking to a mental health professional can be beneficial for you and your children. Dr. Baxley suggests contacting the guidance counselor at your child’s school if that option is not available. Personally, I am a firm believer in getting professional help. “Get help and advice in and out of school,” advises Dr. Baxley.
