7 things to teach kids that help them make friends | The Times of India (2024)

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01/8​What tips to teach children that will help them make friends

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Each one of us, when younger, wanted to make several friends, but most of us were shy or too introverted to even talk to new faces. Making friends is a crucial part of growing up, and parents play a vital role in helping their children develop the skills necessary for building these important relationships. Teaching kids how to make friends not only boosts their social skills but also enhances their overall well-being. Here are 7 key lessons every parent can teach their children to help them make friends and keep them.

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02/8Show kindness and empathy

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Kindness is the foundation of all good relationships. Teaching children to be kind and empathetic can make a huge difference in how they connect with others. According to a study published in the journal Developmental Psychology, children who display prosocial behaviour, such as sharing and showing compassion, are more likely to be accepted by their peers. Encourage the child to understand others' feelings and to offer help when needed. Role-playing different scenarios at home can be a fun way to practice this. For example, ask your child how they would feel if they saw someone sitting alone at lunch and what they could do to help.

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03/8​Teach good listening skills

Listening is an essential part of communication and a key component in forming friendships. A study by the University of Illinois found that children who are good listeners tend to have better peer relationships. Teach your child to listen without interrupting and to show interest in what their friends are saying. You can practice this skill by having family conversations where everyone gets a turn to speak without being interrupted. Praise your child when they listen attentively, reinforcing the importance of this skill.

Read also: 8 things parents should be thankful to their children

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04/8​Encourage sharing and taking turns

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Sharing and taking turns are fundamental social skills that help children build trust and cooperation. According to research in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, children who understand the concept of fairness and are willing to share are more likely to form lasting friendships. Model this behaviour at home by sharing tasks and taking turns during family activities. Praise your child when they share their toys or wait patiently for their turn, highlighting how these actions make others feel good.

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05/8​Teach ‘how to resolve a conflict’

Friendships are not without conflicts, and knowing how to resolve disagreements peacefully is crucial. Teach your child to express their feelings calmly and to listen to their friends' perspectives. A study from Harvard University found that children who can resolve conflicts effectively are more likely to have positive peer relationships. Role-playing different conflict scenarios can be an effective way to practice these skills. Discuss potential solutions and encourage your child to think about the best way to handle disagreements.

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06/8​Make them understand the value of positive body language

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Nonverbal communication, such as smiling, making eye contact, and having an open posture, plays a significant role in making friends. Positive body language can make children appear more approachable and friendly. Teach your child the importance of body language through games and activities. For instance, you can play a game where you take turns expressing different emotions using only facial expressions and gestures. Discuss how these nonverbal cues can impact others' perceptions.

Read also: 8 fun indoor activities to try during heatwave

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07/8​Encourage them to be a part of group activities

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Being part of group activities can provide children with opportunities to meet new friends and practice social skills. Research by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children who participate in group activities, such as sports, clubs, or community events, are more likely to develop strong social networks. Help children find activities that interest them, and encourage them to join. This not only helps them make friends but also boosts their confidence and sense of belonging.

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08/8​Be a role model of what you want your child to be

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Children learn a lot by observing their parents. Demonstrate positive social behaviours, such as greeting neighbours, showing appreciation, and maintaining friendships. According to a study in the Journal of Family Psychology, children often mimic their parents' social interactions. Talk to your child about your friendships and how you maintain them. Share stories of how you resolved conflicts, showed kindness, and supported your friends. Your actions can inspire your child to adopt similar behaviours in their own relationships.

(Images: Canva)

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7 things to teach kids that help them make friends  | The Times of India (2024)

FAQs

How to teach your child to make friends? ›

Reinforce positive behaviors

Encourage and praise your child for prosocial behaviors. Draw attention to their actions that will help them make friends, such as turn-taking, friendliness, active listening, and helping others. Some children may not realize that specific behaviors will connect them to others.

Do 7 year olds have best friends? ›

Yes. Some children are happy with just a few close friends or even just one friend. Your child doesn't need to have a large group of friends to feel happy, confident and accepted. If your child wants to make more friends, our article on supporting school-age friendships can help.

How many friends should a 10 year old have? ›

Dr. Rooney advises keeping things in perspective. “Kids need just one or two good friends. You don't have to worry about them being the most popular kid in their class.”

Why is my 5 year old not making friends? ›

Your child could have trouble making friends for a whole host of reasons. He may be shy or overly aggressive, or have a speech impediment or poor gross motor skills, which could limit his ability to participate in games. In a subtle, non-intrusive manner, try to find out why your child doesn't have pals.

How do children build friendships? ›

Encourage your child's social interaction at school, too. Get to know other families and plan get-togethers with them. Team sports and after-school clubs offer other opportunities for your child to make friends. One-on-one play dates generally work better than large groups, especially for more introverted children.

Do 7 year olds have crushes? ›

Around the time they're able to attend elementary school, kids can experience their first crush. Some parents may feel blindsided by how early this can occur, but experts say it's perfectly normal.

Are 7 year olds clingy? ›

Children can show clingy behaviour at any stage up to late primary school. Infants may cry to let their parents know they don't like being separated. Toddlers or older children may cry, cling or even have a full-blown meltdown if their parent is leaving them. In most cases, these reactions are perfectly normal.

Why does my 10 year old have no friends? ›

There are many reasons why a child may not have many, or any, friends. She might be noticeably different, either physically or intellectually. He may lack social skills or a have a personality that puts off others his own age. He might not share the same interests as his classmates (for example he may hate sports).

Is it OK for a 12 year old to have no friends? ›

If your child has had access to many social situations, including school, and still hasn't made any friends, it might be time to talk to teachers or school administrators to find out whether they're noticing any red flags, such as the following: Your child is isolating and not engaging with peers.

Is it OK to have 5 friends? ›

There's no “right” number of friends you should have, but research says most people have between 3 and 5 close friends.

Should 2 year olds have friends? ›

At 1-2 years, children generally play with other children around them, rather than choosing a 'best' friend. Many of your child's playmates will be the children of people you know – for example, friends, family or parents you meet at playgroup. Toddlers vary in how social they are.

Why can't my 11 year old make friends? ›

For example, many children have trouble making friends because they feel shy or anxious. If we show these kids how to respond to friendly overtures — and provide them with easy, safe opportunities for interacting with friendly people — we can help them build crucial social connections.

Why doesn't my 13 year old have friends? ›

Around puberty, some kids develop social anxiety and start to worry a lot about what other people think of them. Kids with social anxiety will often avoid socializing when they are worried about embarrassing themselves or feel a strong need to be perfect and not make mistakes.

Is my 5 year old lonely? ›

Signs of Loneliness

Seem clingy or start asking you to play with them more than usual. Seek your attention by misbehaving, acting silly, or interrupting you when they know they shouldn't. Act timid or unsure of themselves. Cry more often than other children their age.

At what age does a child typically start to make friends? ›

Seeing your toddler make their first little bestie can be exciting (and very cute). But as sweet as it is, most toddlers won't form actual friendships until closer to four or five years old. That's because toddlers are still learning basic social skills like sharing, cooperating and problem-solving.

Why do children struggle to make friends? ›

In some cases, kids simply haven't met anyone they can connect with. Different challenges can also get in the way. Some kids get too nervous or anxious to talk to others. Some can start a conversation, but they have trouble coming up with things to talk about.

Why does my child lack social skills? ›

Common conditions associated with weak social skills include Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD), non-verbal Learning Disability (NVLD), and social Communication Disorder (SCD).

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