Play with Them
Missing out on group fun and games could mean less chance for your kid to work on their social skills. So try to set aside time daily to give them some practice, says Dylann Gold, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, in New York City. Dress-up, coloring, and fort building all count. Get Your Kid to Laugh
Silliness is a key part of kids friendships. Toys, books, and shows that make your child crack up can help fill that gap. Anything involving surprise magic tricks, puppets is fair game, says Jessica Borelli, Ph.D., associate professor of psychological science at the University of California, Irvine.