I needed some Kimochi wisdom from you. My son who is 32 months old is a friendly, verbal, and polite little boy. (Okay so you are probably wondering - who'd he learn that from?!) He has no trouble approaching new kids at the playground. I have noticed on several occasions that sometimes new kids are not as welcoming as you would hope them to be. I don't want my son to get discouraged. I wanted to know if you had some words I can use with him to let him know that there is nothing wrong with him and to not be discouraged.
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First, I am happy to hear you know it is normal for young children to not always receive positive signals when giving positives. Because you GET this, you will allow your son to experience ALL feelings not simply the happy ones. Below are some words to keep your child's friendly habits strong and help him not grow discouraged.
ReplyDeleteHelp your son gain attention with eye contact or tapping a shoulder before speaking so his kind words do not fall on ears that are playing and not hearing and seeing your friendly boy. (Often young kids are so engrossed in play they miss invitations to play and look like they are being unkind.)
Point out that people have moods that make them feel quite or less friendly. "I think that boys face is saying he is in the mood to play alone today."
Admire your sons ease and kindness towards others. "Kevin, you have such a friendly way about you. I like the way you say hi to everyone you see."
Remind your son that being freidnly is a kind way to be no matter how people choose to respond."Peter, even when people don't smile back I admire how it doesn't stop you from being friendly."
Encourage your sons resiliency with how he interprets less warm ways. "Thomas, I see that you were using a friendly hand and face with that boy. I am sorry he isn't in the mood to play."
Help your son "bounce" back from unkind interactions. "Jeff, I see some kids by the slide who's faces look like they are in a friendly, playful mood. Let's go see what they are doing."
The world is lucky to have friendly children like your son at our parks as we learn most of what really matters in our early years in the parks.