Involve children in group activities with other children their own age (Little League, Girl Scouts, swimming lessons). Encourage them to invite peers home after school or on the weekends. Time alone with one other child is particularly helpful early on, when children are just beginning to develop social skills.

Encourage children to be sensitive to the needs of others

Teach them to listen and to interpret the unspoken expressions of others such as body movements, facial expressions, and vocal inflections. E.g. "Do you see Joey's face? He is concentrating very hard. I don't think he wants to be interrupted right now."

Talk with children about how to join a group

Encourage them to listen to what is going on in the group and then join in by adopting the group's perspective. You may want to act out a possible scenario. Have your child play the part of a group member while you demonstrate the appropriate way to approach a group by play the role of the child who wants to enter the group. Then switch roles.

Teach children the importance and value of social skills

Play games with children, which emphasize social skills such as good sportsmanship, cooperation, generosity, negotiation, sharing, and assertiveness. Give children many opportunities to practice these skills.

Separate out your feelings and needs from your child’s

Step back from the situation and consider whether it is your issue or your child's. Children may experience undue anxiety when we pressure them to behave in a certain way due to our own unfulfilled needs.

Acknowledge the child's feelings

Reflect back to the child what you think he/she is feeling. Children are more open to trying new approaches if they feel heard and understood first.

Problem-solve together

Try the following five-step problem-solving approach: describe the situation, acknowledge the child's feelings, share your own feelings in a non-judgmental way, brainstorm possible solutions together, agree on one solution to try and be willing to go back to the 'drawing board' if it doesn't work.

Practice and role play

Developing social skills takes practice and sometimes role playing a difficult situation can be helpful. For example, "When Paul calls you 'stupid', what can you say back?"

Be a good role model

Model effective social skills and positive peer interaction. For example, negotiate with others in the presence of your children. Let them see and hear how you work through a problem.

Avoid pressuring children

Children need to develop friendships at their own pace. Try to avoid overwhelming children with strong or demanding that they be friendly; this will increase their anxiety and make them feel more inadequate if they do not succeed.

Enlist the teacher's help

Form a relationship with your child's teacher and enlist her support when needed.