Families For Life | Back-to-school guide: Helping your little one build friendships

Starting a new school year is exciting for kids as they get to experience new things and meet new people. These newfound friendships are precious to them so they won’t feel alone exploring a new world together. With your support, those friendships can blossom into strong, healthy bonds that shape how they see themselves and carry through life. Here’s how you can help your little one create supportive and meaningful friendships at school.

Why friendships matter

Friendships play a big role in how children feel about school and everyday life. Being surrounded by other same-age friends with similar interests offers your child a space to feel like they belong and makes them feel good about themselves. When kids feel connected, they’re more likely to enjoy school, settle in faster and feel confident about themselves.

Friendships also help your child build important life skills like compromise, listening and conversation skills. These skills play a big part in their lives later on.

With that said, here are three tips to guide your child make and nurture new friendships.

Be a good role model

Children learn by example, so you, as a parent, can show your child can approach new people with kindness and respect. When you are outside your home, be friendly to the people around you. Open conversations with cashiers, staff or other parents at the playground with simple greetings like “How are you?”. Help your child pick up the confidence and strategies for talking to people they don't know.

Be their pillar of support

Making friends is not always easy; your child may succeed sometimes, and other times they may not. A stable, safe, encouraging home environment can help your child through the ups and downs of making and losing friends. The care and love you give your child at home also help your child explore new friendships.

Praise their efforts, no matter if it worked or not. Listen to any of their concerns attentively without jumping in to fix things or diminish their efforts. Reassure them that it’s okay for their classmates or friends to take time to warm up. Teach them how to model good friend behaviour, like apologising and playing fair. When you stay steady and supportive, your child learns that they’re not facing this struggle alone, and they are motivated to try again.

Support their friendships

Friendships grow with time and shared experiences. If your child has made friends, create opportunities for your child to further deepen those relationships. Offer to organise playdates and sleepovers with your child’s friends. Celebrate their milestones and birthdays together. If your child wants to plan something, back them up and let them take the lead. Having these shared moments will help your child turn their friendships into lasting bonds.

Of course, always reach out to the parents of your child’s friends to talk about plans in advance!

Helping your child make friends for life

Building friendships takes time, and that applies to kids, too. In the process, you can help your child learn what it takes to be a good friend and listen to their concerns when they have troubles connecting with their classmates at school. Remember, you’re not only helping your child make friends at school. You’re also helping them build a supportive network they’ll carry for life.