Play is a fundamental element of a happy childhood. Through play, children can foster constant interconnection through playful activities. This form of entertainment is a reflection of socialization which is inherent to the human being from birth. Parents want their children to have friends and play with their classmates or daycare peers, but when the child shows an attitude of little receptivity toward this goal, concern may arise. The child begins to develop these play skills on a social level from 3 or 4 years old, However, each child has their own evolution process. In this article we answer this question: Why does my son have a hard time playing with other children?
6 reasons why your child finds it difficult to play with other children
If you ever see your child staying in the background, if you think does not finish relating correctly with other children, it is likely that they may have some type of problem or difficulty when it comes to relating.
Next we are going to give you the 6 causes so you can know why your child finds it difficult to play with other children:
- Integration in a new environment. When the child begins school, he needs his own time to gain confidence with others. Parents and teachers, as educational mentors, are a very important point of support for the child. Social skills are also acquired gradually.
- Shyness. Each child has its own character. A shy child has the same capacity for socialization as any other, however, he needs more time to break that initial barrier.
- Dependence on the mother or father. The child may have developed a high attachment to his parents and takes his parents as a constant reference of security. This is something that occurs because the child, during the first three years of life, interacts mainly in an environment of adults who provide continuous protection.
- Language Disorders. Communication is a determining element to establish personal relationships. At any stage of life. If the child suffers some type of difficulty in this area, this can influence her attitude towards social relationships since understanding a game, for example, is a basic aspect of participating in it.
- Example of parents. A child finds in his parents a good example to look up to. For this reason, when parents tend to be solitary and rarely share plans with more people, they are sending an example of loneliness and individualism to the child. In that case, the child has not had many opportunities to participate in environments in which a social encounter occurs beyond the family nucleus itself. The child needs to have real opportunities to put into practice her social skills experience. On the contrary, when parents interact with other people and enjoy this experience, they are motivating the child with their own attitude.
- Overprotection. When parents constantly overprotect their child, instead of strengthening them, they weaken them. It is important to avoid this attitude so that the child can develop his or her own personal resources in accordance with his or her age.
How to help your child play with other friends
Now that you know why your child finds it difficult to play with other children, at Psychology-Online we are going to give you some advice so that you can help him relate to others and enjoy healthy and happy relationships:
- If you are concerned about this reason, it is advisable that talk to the child’s teacher and schedule a tutorial to find out if there is any issue that may be affecting the child’s happy experience at school. For example, perhaps you have had problems with other children.
- Respect the child’s way of being. He trusts that he will take important steps on his own based on his own evolution. Don’t insist on this topic.
- Extracurricular activities. You can enroll the child in an activity that he or she may like so that he or she can interact with other children in an environment other than class.
- Allows the child to invite other friends home to play if you wish beyond the birthday.
- Cousins and brothers. Encourages the child to enjoy time together with others children of a similar age within one’s own family.
If you continue to observe social relationship difficulties in the child, it is advisable that you consult the case with a child psychologist or a pedagogue so that they can advise you in a personalized way knowing the personalized details of the case.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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