Friends become a child's chosen family. If his social life is going well, he gains confidence. If he has trouble connecting, it hurts and can make him feel sad and withdrawn and lonely. 1. Help your child communicate. Naturally outgoing kids have an easier time expressing their interest in other children than shy ones do. But you can help build this skill through practice. Ask your child about his favorite games and toys. Praise him for specifics when he shows interest in other people: 'You were so nice to let Roger talk about his little dog. I am proud of you.' 2. Keep play short and sweet. Parents should keep early play dates short, so no one gets too fired and everyone has fun. Schedule the next one soon after that, so kids can quickly build on their comfort foundation. 3. Know your child. If your child is bossy, talk with him and agree before hand on which toys will be shared and which ones should be put away because your child just can't seem to share them. If you have a shy child, match him with a younger child so he has a chance to be the leader. 4. Help your child help others. Encourage your child to be a better friend by helping him include others in play. If you see someone being excluded, don't ignore it. This is an opportunity to work on your child's ability to understand others. 'Rachel is being left out. That must make her feel very sad. Can you think or a way to include her in the game?' 5. Help your kids help themselves. If your child is the one who's being ignored or treated badly, teach him to speak up. Which word can best describe a child who is good at connecting?