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Your child isn’t making friends, here’s what you can start doing today

Helping your child develop friendships is necessary for their emotional and social growth. If your child is struggling to make friends, there are practical strategies you can implement at home, and specific therapies and programs that can provide additional support.​ 

Your child isn’t making friends? Here’s what you can start doing today | Total Communication Therapy | Singapore

Understanding the Challenges 

Children may face difficulties in forming friendships due to various factors:​ 

  • Social Skills Deficits: Challenges in understanding social cues, sharing, or initiating conversations. SRC: ​Parents 

  • Shyness or Anxiety: Hesitation in engaging with peers due to fear or uncertainty.​ 

  • Attention Disorders: Conditions like ADHD can impede the ability to focus during interactions.​ 

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Difficulties in interpreting social signals and engaging in typical social behaviours.​ 


Strategies to Practice at Home 

You can play a pivotal role in enhancing your child's social abilities through various home-based activities:​ 

Role-Playing
Simulate social scenarios to practice greetings, conversations, and responses.​ 
Emotion Identification
Use storybooks or visual aids to help your child recognize and discuss different emotions.​ 
Organize Playdates
Arrange structured and supervised interactions with peers to practice social skills in a controlled environment.​
Teach Turn-Taking
Engage in games that require taking turns to foster patience and cooperative play.​ 
Model Social Behaviour
Demonstrate appropriate social interactions in your daily activities for your child to emulate.​ 


Therapies and Programmes to Consider 

Professional interventions can provide targeted support to help children build social skills in a structured and effective way. Social Skills Training Groups offer programmes where children can learn and practice social interactions with peers in a supportive environment.

Lego Therapy in Singapore | Total communication

Another effective approach is LEGO Therapy, a play-based intervention in which children work collaboratively to build LEGO models. This engaging format encourages teamwork, communication, and social problem-solving, all within a structured and enjoyable setting.

 

Programs and Initiatives 

Engaging your child in structured programs can provide opportunities to practice social skills:​ 

  • Community Clubs and Sports Teams: Encourage participation in group activities that align with your child's interests to foster peer interactions.​ 

  • Specialized Camps: Look for camps designed for children with social challenges, offering tailored activities to enhance social engagement.​ 

  • School-Based Social Skills Programs: Inquire about programs within the school that focus on social development.​ 


Your Role as a Parent 

Your involvement is crucial in supporting your child's social development:​ 

  • Create a Supportive Environment: Foster an atmosphere where your child feels safe to express feelings and discuss social challenges.​ 

  • Encourage Extracurricular Activities: Support your child's participation in activities that interest them, providing natural settings for socialization.​ 

  • Monitor and Guide Social Interactions: Observe your child's interactions and provide gentle guidance to navigate social situations effectively.​ 

  • Collaborate with Educators and Therapists: Maintain open communication with professionals involved in your child's development to ensure consistency in strategies.​ 


When to Seek Professional Help 

If your child's difficulties persist or significantly impact daily life, it may be helpful to consult a professional for targeted support.


A Speech and Language Therapist can assist if communication barriers are affecting your child's ability to interact socially.


An Educational Therapist can support emotional regulation and help your child better understand and respond to social cues.


An Occupational Therapist can work on developing the practical and sensory-motor skills necessary for successful social participation.

 

By implementing these strategies and seeking appropriate support, you can assist your child in developing the social skills necessary to build meaningful friendships. 


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Need Support for Your Child's Social Development? 

Our therapists at Total Communication Therapy work closely with families to improve communication and peer interaction. We offer evidence-based therapy programmes that can help your child feel more confident, connected, and socially aware. 


Reach out to us today. 

📞 Call/WhatsApp: +65 9115 8895 

📩 Or fill out our contact form: https://www.totalcommunication.com.sg/contact 

 

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