I know it’s reallyhard at first.
Ask an opinion
What do you think
of the new soccer
uniforms?
Offer an invitation
Want to sit
together at lunch?
I like
your
scarf.
Thanks! I made it.
Do you know how
to knit?
Keep the conversation going!
Once you’ve had a conversation, don’t let it stop there. Look for chances to talk again.
The more you talk, the more you’ll get to know if this girl might be a good friend for you.
No.
I wish I did,
though.
I can teach you.
Let’s talk at lunch!
Could someone be
trying to talk to you?
You might be thinking so much about
starting a conversation with one girl that
you don’t notice another girl trying to
start a conversation with you. Chances are,
someone out there wants to get to know
you better, too!
When You Feel Shy
Sometimes walking up to someone you don’t know feels like a big deal.
It can be really hard. And to make it even harder, shyness can sometimes
be confusing for other girls who want to get to know you.
She’s not talking to me.
Is she just feeling shy? Or does
that mean she doesn’t want to
be friends with me?
Meeting new friends when
you feel shy can be a challenge.
It’s kind of like climbing up a big
mountain. But taking it step by
step really helps. Just remember
that with every step you take
and every effort you make, no
matter how small, you’re getting
closer to meeting some great
girls and enjoying fun friendships.
Saying Hello
Here are a few tips to help make saying hi easier.
Let your body help you
do the talking.
It’s hard to have a conversation with a
girl whose head is down or whose arms
are crossed tightly across her chest. But
looking someone in the eye, and keep-
ing your head up and your arms relaxed,
tells other kids you’d like to talk to
them. Taking a deep breath and smiling
helps, too.
Approach one person
instead of a whole group.
Act as natural as you can. You might
also try bringing extra pens, paper,
or gum along with you. Offering to
share is a great way to start talking
to someone.
Get those first words out.
Don’t wait until you feel totally comfort-
able to approach someone. Just say some-
thing simple like, “Hi. How are you?” It may
be easier than you think to go from there.
Remember, most people are happy when
someone shows an interest in them and
what they have to say.
Practice at home in
front of a mirror.
Act like you’re talking to someone
you’ve never met. It might sound silly,
but it works! Once you’ve said the words
out loud over and over, saying them to
someone else won’t be as difficult.
Ask your mom or dad
to help you practice,
practice, practice.
The more you practice starting conversa-
tions, the more natural it will feel. Try out
conversation starters at the dinner table with
your family. Ordering at restaurants and ask-
ing questions of salespeople can help, too.
After
