Parents play a major role in helping young children develop a healthy social life. While it is essential that little ones have ample time and space to play freely with their peers, parents can help shape their child’s social skills so friendships are more likely to form.
Here are six tips to help your preschooler make pals:
Be a model friend
Little eyes and ears are always watching and listening. Children mimic the behaviors they observe. Be sure to demonstrate active listening, patience and politeness in your interactions, and show kindness whenever possible. Avoid gossip, name-calling and bad-mouthing others — even if you think your children aren’t listening.
Try emotion-coaching your child
Learn to reflect emotion empathically with your preschooler. Research shows that when parents use emotion-coaching strategies, their child can better regulate his or her own emotions, which leads to steady friendship-forming behavior. Dr. John Gottman teaches parents how to be an emotion coach in his book “Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child.”
Practice with puppets or stuffed animals
One of the most effective ways to help preschoolers learn social skills is to set up pretend social scenarios with puppets or stuffed animals. When my son was 3, he would bring me a puppet, put another puppet on his own hand and say, “Mommy, make Bunny talk, pwease.” Then he would act out whatever was on his mind.
Schedule one-on-one play dates
Some children feel overwhelmed in group settings. If this is your child, you may want to organize one-on-one playtime with some initial structured activities to facilitate interaction.
Respect the friend chemistry
Let’s face it, sometimes two people just don’t click. This happens with young children, too! Personalities, energy levels and interests can clash. If after a few tries it appears the friendship isn’t going to blossom, don’t push it.
Read stories about friendship
Story time is one of the best ways to teach your child what it means to be a good friend. Some of my favorite books about friendship are:
- “A Bug, a Bear, and a Boy” by David McPhail
- “Hunter’s Best Friend at School” by Laura Malone Elliott
- “The Story of Fish and Snail” by Deborah Freedman
Learning how to make friends is a fundamental part of life. Helping shape this skill set in ways that feel most natural and familiar for your preschooler will help build your child’s social confidence.
Parent Reviews of Primrose School of Ken Caryl
morePointers for Parents; Getting Children Back into Routine After the Holidays
more4 Ways to Explore Spring with Your Child
more4 Ways to Raise a Good Friend
more2021 Parent Reviews
moreThe Power of Puppet Play in Child Development
moreIn Good (and Clean) Hands: Considerations for Children's Safe Return to Child Care
moreParent Reviews - "We feel like our children are always happy and excited to go to school each day!""
moreReady for Spring Cleaning? Get your Child Involved!
moreIn Good (and Clean) Hands: Considerations for Children's Safe Return to Child Care
moreIn Good (and Clean) Hands: Considerations for Children's Safe Return to Child Care
moreThe Power of Puppet Play in Child Development
moreJoin our Caring and Giving Virtual Donation
moreJoin our Caring and Giving Virtual Donation
more Exhausted from the election? These pre-K and kindergarten voters may brighten your mood. ÂÂ
moreNeed Some New Books in Your Mix? Check out Og's Story Time Book List
moreParent Review - "During this whole epidemic they have done everything they could ....."
moreOnline with Og, Exploring Land Transportation!
moreBuilding Social, Emotional and Academic Growth, Amidst a Pandemic
moreOnline with Og at Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreJoin Primrose's Online Curriculum with Og the bookworm!
moreStory time book list
moreComplimentary Primrose Schools Online Weekly Curriculum!
moreParent Review - "We Love Primrose School of Ken Caryl!"
moreMore than just a cute puppet..
moreLet go of "Parent Guilt"
moreDe-Stressing and Spending Quality Time with Your Kids
more6 Ways to Help Your Preschooler Make Friends
moreParent Review - Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreIt's Hot Out There! Summer Skin Care Tips for Your Child
moreHow Working Parents Stay Connected with Their Kids During the Summer
moreParent Review - Primrose School of Ken Caryl
morePrimrose Reviews from Real Moms
moreDo you have a "Threenager"? Confessions from the Mom of a Threenager
moreBattle Bedwetting with These 4 Tips!
moreKid-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes & Crafts
moreParent Testimonial
moreParent Review - Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreHow Primrose Differs from Montessori
moreCelebrate Back to School with these 5 Crafts & Activities!
more5 Family Staycation Ideas!
moreParent Review of Primrose School of Ken Caryl
more5 Ways to Celebrate the Fourth of July at Home
moreParent Review of Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreMy Kid is Turning into a Bully! How Do I Stop it?
moreDon't Pass the Phone: 7 Alternatives to Screen Time
moreOne Size Does Not Fit All - Tips for Raising Siblings by Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreYelp & FB - Parent Reviews of Primrose Ken Caryl
moreStraight from the Source: Why Moms Love SwimLabs Littleton
moreParent Reviews of The Primrose School of Ken Caryl
moreHow to Ask About Your Child's Art
moreParent Testimonials
moreHow to Survive Toddler Tantrums - Pointers for Parents
more