Making friends isn't easy. As adults, we tend to stick with the friends we've had for years without reaching out to others for friendship. And when we do, we are very conscious of our behaviors so we can appear friend-worthy. Children are different, though. Some of them are extremely shy, hindering their friend-making abilities. Others have behavior problems that simply make others not want to be their friends. Fortunately, you can help your child reach out to their peers at school and in your neighborhood so they can make some lifelong connections. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you accomplish this goal.

1. Teach basic social skills - Since misguided social skills are a huge hindrance to some children making friends, teaching them the basics can make themselves a more desirable playmate. For instance, teach your child about respecting others. When in doubt, the "Golden Rule" is always a great thing for children to remember - "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Sharing and being nice to others are two main tenets of this rule.
   
   
2. Get involved with your child's school and other organizations - One great way to teach your child to make friends is to make more friends yourself. If you get involved with the school's PTA meetings and other school organizations, you'll naturally meet other parents with children in that school. This gives your children more chances to meet their peers and become friends while keeping you informed about the various things happening at the school.
   
   
3. Keep playdates to a minimum - Once you've met other parents, you can plan playdates for your children when they are in their younger years. But keep them small and short. Playdates with only one or two other children encourages more interaction and avoids any one child being left out of the group. Also, keep the playtimes short. If it drags on for too long, children (like adults) have a tendency to get cranky and bored with each other. A good rule of thumb for playdates is "less is more" for the best possible results.
   
   
4. Find non-competitive activities for your child - Getting your child involved in non-competitive activities will help them find friends with similar interests without the need to compete. Competition creates conflict among children (it's amazing how similar they can be to some adults, isn't it?). Involving them in art classes, martial arts or other activities teaches them new skills while being surrounded by potential friends.
   
   
5. Encouragement works wonders - Your children listen to what you say more than you think they do. So when you encourage them to do something, they will likely take that advice. Find out what they are interested in and encourage them to participate in those activities. If they enjoy a certain sport, joining the school's sports team teaches them valuable life lessons and gives them the chance to exercise and learn new skills.
   
   
6. Increase communication with your child - If you can't communicate effectively with your child, you can't help them make friends. They also won't know how to communicate with others if they can't communicate with you. Make sure you know how to talk and encourage talking with your child so they know the behaviors needed to make new friends.
   
   
7. Look for the fads - Young children love the latest trends, and their trends are much different than the trends you loved when you were a child. Be aware of the things that children like who are the same age as your child. This will help your child form a common bond with other children who have the same kind of toys, backpacks and pencils. You'd be surprised how easy it is for children to communicate with other children that have the same types of toys. It's an almost instantaneous bond!
   
   
8. Don't force it - Some children will make friends naturally if given time. But forcing your child to make friends can backfire on your child. Forcing it could cause your child to be even more insecure and shyer than they already are.
   
   
9. Look for warning signals - Some children have problems making friends because of they shyness, but others might have deeper troubles that hinder them from making friends. If your child rarely makes eye contact with you and others or shows more serious characteristics around other children, speak with a professional to see if something else could be wrong.

Making friends is never easy at any age. Even as adults, it's difficult to reach out to others and make friends because of our insecurities and prejudices. There are several ways you can encourage your child to form lifetime bonds with their peers. You might even be able to take some of this advice yourself to find more adult friends. Remember, you can never have too many friends in your life.