Parents, carers and teaching staff have important roles to play in helping children develop friendships. They set examples for children to follow through the ways they manage relationships. They can also act as coaches and mentors for children, teaching them helpful social skills and talking through friendship issues to help with solving problems.
Provide children with opportunities to play with peers. Children gain experience and learn important social skills from playing with friends.
Teach positive social skills. Little things like smiles, looking at the person, knowing names and using a confident, friendly voice can make a big difference when making friends. Being able to better control negative emotions and paying attention to the needs and wants of others are also very important.
You may act out the situation and even demonstrate what to say. Take turns ‘acting’ until your child can demonstrate what to do.
Be a coach. Coach your child to practise positive social skills in everyday situations with family members and friends. Support children’s learning by giving positive feedback and praise.
Help children solve friendship problems
Talking problems through with a supportive adult helps children to think about what happens, how they feel about it and what to do next.
Don’t be too serious. Make it a fun experience.
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