The thought of entering school hallways and classrooms fill some children with panic for the simple reason that they don’t have any friends, or they are changing schools and have to start over making new friends.

Your child does not have to be the most popular kid in school to be happy. Having just one or two good friends can make the difference between being miserable and being fine. Social skills vary from person to person; it’s easy for some, and very difficult for others.

While it might require more effort and practice for some people, the skill of making friends can be learned. Encourage your child to take action by providing him or her these helpful tips.

Look for common ground – One of the best ways to meet new people is through shared interests. Your child can join a school that he or she has an interest in, like a computer, music, academic, or drama club.

Choose a time to “break the ice” – Make the start of conversation light and casual such as, “Have you belonged to this club long?” or “Do you know when the next meeting is?” The more times your child tries, the easier it will become. Offer encouragement for each attempt he or she makes, even if it doesn’t seem to be working.

Do not limit activities to school – There are recreation programs, book clubs, scouts, church groups, and many other activities that your child can join. Watch bulletin boards in your community, or check out the local newspaper.

Have your child volunteer – Show him or her how to volunteer with a local organization. This gives him or her the double benefit of meeting new people and doing something worthwhile. And as your child’s focuses on someone else’s need, little does your child know that his or her own troubles might just take care of themselves.