Maintaining eye contact conveys a sense of confidence and friendliness.  A child who does not maintain eye contact is seen as lacking confidence, a quality that is not beneficial when making and maintaining friends.  Other children might see a child who lacks confidence as weak and unworthy of friendship.

     Your child might not be avoiding eye contact with family members because family members are familiar to your child.  You may see this when your family interacts with friends or when your child interacts with other kids at extra-curricular activities or at the park.  School, especially a big one that is overwhelming, may also be a place where your child avoids eye contact.

     If your child does not keep eye contact when interacting with others, you may want to consider finding ways to improve your child’s self-confidence.  As an educator, and former martial arts instructor, I believe that enrolling your child in martial arts is the best way to improve your child’s confidence and self-esteem.  If martial arts aren’t your child’s cup of tea, try putting your child in any other extra-curricular activity that is not competition based.  If your child is placed in a position whereby he or she is competing with others, this may undermine your child’s already weakened self-confidence.  Some alternatives could be: dance, arts and crafts, music, and individual sports.

     Also, try to make sure that you don’t compare your child with other children in the house.  Or, at least, try not to do so when your child is around.  Praise your child and focus on his or her abilities.  Post and  celebrate your child’s accomplishments however small they seem to be.  Help improve your child’s self-confidence and you will improve your child’s social relationships.  Lastly, remind your child to make eye contact when he or she does not do so.