Supporting Friendships
Friendships are a vital part of children’s social and emotional development. Positive relationships help children feel happy, secure and confident, while developing important social skills such as sharing, cooperation and empathy.
Parents and carers can support children in building and maintaining friendships by:
Encouraging social opportunities: Arrange playdates, extracurricular activities or group events where children can meet peers.
Modeling positive relationships: Demonstrate respectful communication, empathy and problem-solving in your own relationships.
Supporting conflict resolution: Help your child understand how to resolve disagreements calmly and fairly.
Listening and talking: Encourage your child to share their experiences at school and talk through any worries about friendships.
Working with school staff: Teachers and pastoral staff can support children who find it difficult to make or maintain friendships.
By nurturing friendships and social skills, children are better able to manage challenges, develop resilience and enjoy a positive school experience.
Useful Resources