The most successful helping strategies are matched to the specific needs of the children involved. Social Skills Training Children whose behavior leads to social rejection often need to learn new interpersonal skills. Similarly, children should be given school support for dealing with family problems, when possible, to minimize potential adverse effects on the children's peer relations. Nonthreatening Social Experiences Large groups can be threatening to children who lack self-confidence. Shy children may therefore benefit from opportunities to interact with peers in small groups.
Parents can encourage shy children to invite classmates over one at a time for special activities.
Or shy children can be encouraged to develop outside interests, like music or art, that will provide a natural basis for interacting with other children. Both of these approaches can boost shy children's self-confidence and may help them start friendships in the process. Cooperative Classroom Projects Cooperative group projects can foster peer acceptance of children who are trying to improve their social reputations, including children who are seen as different by their classmates. Under this scheme, teachers assign interesting tasks to small work groups. The group members must work cooperatively to achieve the tasks.