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One of the skills children should be developing as they get older is socialising. It’s how we all come to make friends, learn from others and make time for meaningful conversations. But we are not all born confidence speakers – we have to learn how to converse with others and offer opinions. It’s something that will be asked of children in time for grammar school preparation in Gloucestershire; here are some ways you can help.

Make time for playdates
These are very popular for toddlers and infants who are learning to make friends and will want to build lasting relationships. It’s especially interesting for children that continue to go through school together and build on the friendships made at a younger age.

Playdates are important for younger children because it will give them the opportunity to play and develop friendships at a pace that suits them. It will normally be in a more comfortable environment, where children can play freely or suggest things they can do to friends or parents. Communication and socialising will be key here in order to develop their core social skills.

Let your child take the lead
If your child isn’t able to feel confident then it can hamper their development. Giving your child the opportunity to be in charge of decisions can help them with their self-esteem and encouragement. These will both help children learn to talk to others and think clearly about their next move – perfect for children continually developing ways to socialise.

Children that feel comfortable to take charge will be able to make friends a lot easier as they get older. They are more likely to offer suggestions or offer their own opinions on things if they have the freedom to do so. Starting early with their confidence is a sure fire way of ensuring they can gradually develop those social skills.
Have continued open conversations with your child

Get your child talking!
It’s a great way to see how your child thinks while also developing their vocabulary and gaining insight into how you think and feel about certain concepts. There’s a lot to consider in the world that your child could be thinking about, but they just don’t know how best to approach it. So, by encouraging them to open up through regular conversations, you can help your child come out of their shell.

A lot of socialising comes from real life experiences, confidence boosting and more. So long as you allow your child to come in feeling happy to talk to others and explore their skills they will be able to develop those social skills by themselves.