Families For Life | Relationships with School-Age Children: Ideas and Tips

Supporting Your School-Age Child’s Social and Emotional Growth

Family remains the most important influence on your child’s development during their schooling years. As your child grows, friendships and role models also become increasingly important. Your guidance continues to shape how your child learns, behaves and relates to others.

Understanding Your School-Age Child

Children are learning more than academic skills in school. They are building friendships, understanding social rules, developing values and learning the difference between right and wrong. They also begin looking up to trusted adults, such as teachers and relatives.

As their brains develop, children become better at managing emotions, solving problems and interacting with others. Although they spend more time away from home, family relationships remain the foundation of their confidence, wellbeing and sense of security.

Helping Your Child Build Social Skills

Starting school means becoming part of a larger social world. Children learn how to fit in, work with others and form friendships.

You can support your child by:

• Encouraging friendships through playdates, clubs and group activities.

• Teaching conversation skills such as listening, taking turns and asking questions.

• Helping your child understand how words can affect others.

• Encouraging empathy by discussing feelings and different perspectives.

• Talking through social challenges and exploring positive ways to respond.

The Importance of Role Models

Children develop their sense of identity by observing people they admire. Family members, friends, teachers and peers help shape their understanding of values, behaviour and relationships.

Teachers as Role Models

Teachers play a significant role in your child's life. Through daily interactions, they influence how children think, behave and feel about learning and school.

Learning About Rules and Values

Children are often interested in rules and fairness. Through games, sports and everyday experiences, they learn that different situations may have different expectations.

As they mature, children begin to understand family, school and community rules. They also develop a stronger sense of responsibility and may feel guilty when they know they have done something wrong.

Helping Your Child Understand Values

You can support your child by:

Explaining why certain behaviours, such as bullying or teasing are unacceptable.

• Encouraging empathy by asking, “How would you feel if that happened to you?”

• Playing games that teach cooperation, fairness and resilience.

• Helping your child cope with both success and disappointment.

• Talking about your family's values and the values that are important in your community.

These conversations help children develop strong character, make thoughtful choices and build positive relationships with others.