How to teach your children to make friends

As parents, we all want our children to thrive socially, building strong friendships that will enrich their lives. Fortunately, there are several strategies parents can employ to help their children navigate the often complex landscape of friendship-building.

Let’s explore some effective techniques that can guide your child toward forming meaningful connections with others.

Lead by Example

Children are keen observers and tend to mimic the behaviours they see around them. Therefore, one of the most powerful ways to teach your child how to make friends is by demonstrating positive social interactions yourself. Whether it’s chatting with neighbours, engaging in community events, or inviting friends over for gatherings, let your child witness firsthand how you initiate and nurture friendships. So, be the kind of friend you want your child to be.

Encourage Empathy

Empathy lays the groundwork for successful relationships. Help your child understand the feelings of others by encouraging them to consider perspectives beyond their own. When conflicts arise with friends or classmates, ask questions like, “How do you think she felt when you took her toy without asking?” By prompting empathy, you’re teaching your child to recognise and respond to the emotions of others, a crucial skill in forming and maintaining friendships. Children who are taught empathy skills show greater social competence and are more likely to have positive relationships with their peers.

Foster Social Skills Through Play

Play is a natural avenue for children to learn social skills such as cooperation, communication and problem-solving. Encourage your child to engage in group activities where they can practise these skills in a fun and relaxed environment. Whether it’s team sports, group games or imaginative playdates, these experiences provide valuable opportunities for your child to interact with others and develop friendships organically. Children who participate in organised group activities are likely to demonstrate improved social skills and are better equipped to make friends compared to their peers who didn’t engage in such activities.

Teach Assertiveness

Assertiveness is a crucial skill for initiating and maintaining friendships. Teach your child how to express their thoughts, feelings and needs confidently and respectfully. Encourage them to speak up when they have something to contribute to a conversation or when they feel uncomfortable in a social situation. Research conducted by Stanford University found that assertive children were more likely to have successful friendships and were less susceptible to peer pressure. By empowering your child to assert themselves appropriately, you’re helping them navigate social interactions with confidence and integrity.

Practise Active Listening

Effective communication is a cornerstone of any healthy relationship. Teach your child the importance of active listening by modelling attentive listening yourself and encouraging them to do the same. When your child feels heard and understood, they’re more likely to form meaningful connections with others. A study published in the Journal of Early Adolescence found that children who were skilled at active listening were perceived as more likeable by their peers and were more successful in forming friendships.

Provide Opportunities for Socialisation

Expose your child to diverse social settings where they can interact with a variety of peers. Whether it’s through extracurricular activities, playgroups, or community events, these opportunities allow your child to expand their social circle and learn how to navigate different social dynamics. Research from the University of Michigan found that children who had diverse social experiences were more adaptable and better equipped to form friendships with a wide range of individuals.

Teaching your child how to make friends is a gradual process that requires patience, guidance and encouragement. Remember, every child is unique, so be flexible in your approach and celebrate their progress along the way. With your support, your child can develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive socially and build lasting friendships.