Encouraging children to be curious and proactive in communication is essential. Parents can create opportunities for their kids to meet new friends through extracurricular activities, classes, or birthday parties. Teach them to initiate conversations with simple questions such as “What’s your name?” or “What do you like to do for fun?”. This helps build their confidence in social situations.
Listening skills are integral to relationship-building. Guide your children to listen attentively and sincerely when their friends share something. Teach them to provide appropriate feedback, such as nodding or saying “I understand”, to show they are engaged in the conversation.
It’s also important to instruct children on expressing their emotions positively. Explain that showing happiness, excitement, or even sadness is a healthy part of any relationship. At the same time, they should learn to set boundaries and know when to say no to anything that makes them uncomfortable.
Teaching children how to make friends in a healthy way is an ongoing process that requires patience. By equipping them with these skills, you lay the foundation for their future as confident, empathetic, and respectful individuals.