Source 1 Ways to increase school-aged child’s social abilities: setting and providing appropriate limits, guidelines and expectations and consistently enforce using appropriate consequences, model appropriate behavior, offer compliments being cooperative and for any personal achievements, help children at these ages to choose activities that are appropriate for their abilities, encourage children to talk to parents and be open with his or her feelings, encourage children to read and have parents read with them, encourage them to get involved with hobbies and other activities, encourage physical activity, encourage self-discipline; expect children to follow rules that are set, teach them to respect and listen to authority figures, teach them to be aware of consequences of their behavior and empathy for others, children should be encouraged to talk about peer pressure and help set guidelines to deal with peer pressure, encourage time outside, limit television, video game and computer time. And lastly parents should spend uninterrupted time with children giving their full attention. A strong, loving relationship can have a direct positive influence on your child’s mental health.