Connectedness is the degree to which an individual or group is socially close, interrelated, or shares resources with other individuals and groups. When we have connections with others, we have someone to talk to if things are going wrong in our lives. Strong, positive relationships with others can be protective and prevent against suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Connectedness between individuals can lead to increased frequency of social contact, lowered levels of social isolation or loneliness, and an increased number of positive relationships. [1]?
Children can build connections with family members, extended family, friends at school, church, clubs, sports teams, cultural groups, neighborhoods and other situations where they are interacting with others. [2]??
How can we encourage our children and other family members to form connections??
- Communication skills: Many kids struggle with communication skills, especially in this time of devices, which endanger the development of those skills. Shut off the devices. Have family dinners. Talk with each other. Model how to have conversations and even practice different scenarios in which they will be talking to others. [3]?
- Friendship-Making:? Many people have difficulties making friends. Teach your children how to approach someone. Practice this at home. What could they say to a person with whom they would like to befriend? Model, practice and encourage these friend-making skills.??
- Encourage opportunities:? Sign your child up for sports, art classes, drama groups, or other opportunities for making friends and connecting with others. Again, turn off the devices often so they can experience real life interaction.? [3]?
- Connections with adults: In addition to connections with peers, your child should have positive connections with parents and other adults. Set aside time daily to spend quality time with your children and encourage quality time with grandparents and other trusted adults.??
- Differences are okay: Teach kids that it’s okay to be different and that friends who are different from us can be a lot of fun. Many times, the children who seem different than others are the ones who are not connecting as much.?
?It can be difficult for some people to make friends. This makes it difficult to experience connectedness, which helps us to be emotionally and mentally healthy. To some children, social skills come naturally. To others, some teaching and practice can really help.??
- Practice social skills at home:?
- Emphasize taking turns and sharing.??
- Practice different conflict-resolution strategies.??
- Practice conversations at home.??
- Ask your child’s teachers if they notice social problems at school that you could address. [3]?
- Playing and hanging out with others:?
- Prepare for playdates by discussing activities to do, things to say, ways to have fun.??
- Encourage your children to invite other kids to do things. Help them to do this, as inviting can be difficult for some children.??
- Observe your children with other children to watch for positive interactions or ways that you can help. [3]?
- If your child seems to lack friends, talk to a teacher to find out what is observed at school. This can help you to know how you can help.??
- Shy children may need practice in approaching other kids:?
- Saying hello?
- Giving a compliment?
- Showing interest in what others are doing?
- Joining an activity?
- Find groups that share your child’s interests so that they can meet others with similar hobbies: art, music, sports, reading, martial arts, drama, etc. Teachers are a great resource for this as well.??
Assistant Professor, Clinical Mental Health
1 年There is NO substitute for the human connection! Sounds so simple, but in our digital world we seem to have lost this fundamental fact. We need meaningful connection with just one person to not just thrive but survive. Who will you connect with today?