On the first day of soccer camp, my daughter didn't recognize anyone. After signing her in, I sat with her on the sidelines and noticed other nervous-looking children hovering near their parents. I thought, They just need someone to break the ice.
With calculated nonchalance, I asked Meghan if she wanted to kick the ball.
She nodded eagerly.
Sighing, I said, "I don't have the right shoes. But that girl over there looks about your age. Why don't you invite her to kick the ball around with you instead?"
"I can't!" Meghan said. "I don't know her."
"Let me show you how to change that," I said.
I introduced myself to the girl and then asked if she would kick the ball around with my daughter.
The other girl gave a shy nod. Within minutes, the two were booting the ball and laughing as if they were friends.
Because I continued to model introductions, Meghan now understands how to reach out — and often, in new situations, she is the first to say, "Hi. I'm Meghan. Would you like to play?"
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2010 issue
of Thriving Family
magazine. Copyright © 2010 by Lori Z. Scott.
Used by permission. ThrivingFamily.com.