Some children enjoy talking to others and making new friends, however, many children find the school environment incredibly difficult because they lack confidence. Fortunately, this is something that parents can help their children to overcome, using a few simple techniques.

Read on for some great tips provided by a preparatory school in London, on how you can help to boost your child’s confidence…

Starting conversations

Starting conversations with new people isn’t easy, even for adults. To help your child feel more confident about speaking to others, it can be useful to prepare a few conversation starters together. These could include some really simple compliments or questions, such as ‘I like your backpack’ or ‘would you like to play?’

Making friends

School playgrounds can feel overwhelming for children because they are busy and loud. It can be helpful for quieter children if parents arrange play dates at home with some of their classmates. This can help your child to make friends in a familiar setting, where they feel more relaxed and confident.

Being sociable

Try to be a good role model for your children by demonstrating effective social skills with others. Teach your children to say hello, ask questions and offer help to those in need. It is also helpful to explain how to hold a conversation and stress the importance of sharing and listening to others.

Being independent

Where possible, try to take a step back and allow your child to experience a little more independence. This will help them to work out issues alone and grow their confidence. Disputes with friends are common at school and learning how to resolve them is an important life-skill.

Having hobbies

Encourage your child to join after-school clubs that will develop their hobbies and interests. Extra-curricular activities are a great way to boost your child’s self-confidence. This is because they provide an opportunity for your child to gain new skills, explore a new environment and meet new people.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.