How To Help Your Preschooler Make Friends
Children usually form their first real friendships in preschool as they learn to participate in regular activities and mingle around with others their age. However, it can be tough for some young ones to learn how to make friends for the first time.
The good news is that this is not a cause for concern, and there are ways that you, as their parent, can help your child get on track. It is more than just searching online for “child care centres near me”, enrolling your child there, and hoping for the best. In this article, we will cover some of the most effective ways in which you can help your preschooler make friends.
Identify Potential Companions
Get to know more about the other children in your child’s preschool by asking them who they like spending time with. Pay attention when they talk about their day and note how other children are described by your child. When you pick them up at preschool, take some time to watch how your child interacts with other kids, and how other kids interact with each other.
If someone sounds or seems like a good match for your child, casually mention to your child a few times how you think that kid seems nice or friendly, and see their reaction. If it is positive, ask your child if they would like to invite the other child over for a playdate.
Teach Your Child How To Be A Good Friend
Explore with your child what makes someone a good friend. Ask them who they think is a good friend and why they feel that way about that person. Prompt your child to think about specific traits like kindness and humour, or things they have in common like a favourite book or toy. Explain to your child that talking and sharing will get them closer to others who have the same interests and that it is a good thing.
Teaching your child these basic values in a way that they understand is important at this developmental stage. You can also speak to your child’s teacher to find out more about what your child is like around their peers during daycare.
Practise Playdate Skills
Playing is a skill that may not come naturally to all preschoolers. Some children have trouble reading social cues or struggle with communication. If your child is nervous about going on a playdate, you can help put them at ease by practising some basic playdate skills. Have a “pretend playdate” with your little one at home, where you go through the motions of a playdate with your child so that they know what to expect when the real thing comes around. You can also consider observing your child’s first playdate so that you can see for yourself how your child is doing and offer any help or support if necessary.
Stay Close And Let Your Child Know You Are There
It can be reassuring for your child to have you nearby during a playdate, particularly if the children do not know each other well. This will also allow you to keep an eye on what is going on so that you can intervene if things get out of hand. However, if it is a minor conflict, let your child work their way through it and watch how they do it. As your child gets more confident and comfortable with the other children, you can distance yourself – but always remember to be aware of what is going on by regularly checking in and asking your child how was their playdate.
Reinforce Good Behaviour
It’s good to put a positive spin on your child’s experience of making friends. Reward your child when they exhibit positive behaviour, such as being a good friend or not throwing a tantrum when things don’t go their way during an interaction with another child. If you notice your child displaying an unseemly attitude, do your part to check your child in a gentle but firm manner. This will help your little one learn right from wrong when navigating their first friendships.
We hope these tips can give you a better idea of how to help your preschooler make friends at a young age. Take it one step at a time and make sure to celebrate the small successes along the way!
