Building your child’s confidence is a key factor in helping her learn how to establish meaningful friendships early in life. And a healthy self-esteem will increase the likelihood of her making wise choices about whom she decides to spend time with.
• Affirm your child’s strengths by congratulating her when she does something well.
• Spend time with her on an individual basis. Go out for ice cream, take a walk or play a game together.
• Teach your child how to reach out to the needy. Take her to visit the elderly in a retirement complex or nursing home, or sponsor a child in an underdeveloped country.
• Involve your child in socially interactive activities, such as sports or music.
• Encourage your child’s friendships. Throw birthday parties and invite one of her friends over for dinner every other week.
