| Play dates are a common occurrence in the lives | | | | time to sit, eat, and talk. Check if your child's |
| of most children. Kids want to have friends over | | | | friend has any food allergies or food restrictions |
| and they want to visit the homes of their friends. | | | | prior to the get-together. Peruse your cookbooks |
| Play dates give a child the opportunity to be a | | | | and the web for fun and interesting snacks that |
| host and to learn to help their guest feel | | | | the children can help prepare. |
| comfortable and welcomed. When visiting a | | | | Prepare a craft project where the guest can |
| friend's home, children learn how to maneuver | | | | bring something home. But make sure it's not too |
| around unfamiliar territory, work with another | | | | elaborate. You don't want a project that requires |
| adult, and use their manners-thank you and | | | | so much concentration that the two children do |
| please. But for some children with ADHD, spending | | | | not interact. There are simple craft packages that |
| time with friends can be difficult. If your child does | | | | you can find at your local crafts store. Check the |
| not experience play dates, she is missing an | | | | web for inspiring activities. |
| opportunity to practice and hone her social skills. | | | | You can also choose to let the kids play with a |
| Before a play date can be planned, you need to | | | | toy that you currently have at home. Go through |
| find a good playmate . Ask your child who he | | | | your existing games, puzzles, and other toys for |
| plays with at school. Talk with your child's teacher | | | | things that the kids can do together. |
| to discuss who plays with your child. You need | | | | In addition to planning the activities, you need to |
| the names of a couple of children so you can | | | | prepare your child. Walk her through what the |
| rotate them through the play dates. Initially, you | | | | play date will entail. Anticipate any problems or |
| want to invite one child over to your home. Group | | | | issues that may arise and talk her through these. |
| dynamics of more than one friend can make a | | | | Make sure she is aware of the final activity so |
| get-together difficult for a child with minimal skills. | | | | that she knows when the play date will end. |
| Hold off on inviting multiple friends until your child | | | | Prior to the play date, remove toys or items that |
| is comfortable with playing one-on-one. | | | | may cause your child problems. For example, |
| Now that you have some possible playmates, the | | | | don't leave a Gameboy or PSP out where the |
| next step is to plan the play date . Children who | | | | children may want to play them. These are one |
| need to practice their social skills do not have the | | | | player items and do not help your child to work |
| skills to maintain a play date solely on their own. | | | | on his social skills. |
| Upfront planning by you will ensure a smoother | | | | Pay attention during the play date, but do not |
| time. | | | | become highly involved. You want to know what |
| Keep the get-together short. Make sure you have | | | | is going on in case you need to intervene during a |
| an end time and that the other parent is prepared | | | | misunderstanding or if the kids are having a |
| to pick up their child at an agreed upon time. Long | | | | problem finding something to do. Listening to the |
| play dates provide the children with more | | | | play date helps you to debrief your child later. |
| opportunities for breakdowns or to get bored. | | | | Once the friend has left, debrief your child. Praise |
| The friend should leave the play date wanting to | | | | your child for what went right. Discuss options for |
| return. | | | | things that might have caused problems. Use |
| Plan a physical activity in case the children need to | | | | what you learn to improve the planning process |
| get outside and work off excessive energy. But | | | | for the next play date. |
| keep it simple. You do not want activities that are | | | | Beware, having your child's friends over will be |
| so difficult that you need to be involved the entire | | | | exhausting-for you! Things will go wrong. Things |
| time. Instead, preselect some age-appropriate | | | | will go right. There will be times when you just |
| things that you can suggest to the children, but | | | | don't feel like planning another activity. Try to |
| that they can manage on their own. With summer | | | | keep the play dates fun and interesting. They are |
| soon arriving, the outdoor activities can include | | | | important for your child, but you don't want to |
| running through the sprinklers, playing with water | | | | burn out. You want to aim for success. Keep it |
| guns, writing with sidewalk chalk, or making | | | | small and keep it simple. Try to keep a sense of |
| bubbles. | | | | humor and your child's social skills will improve. |
| Schedule a snack time. Allow the two children | | | | |