Dear Parents/Carers
Please see below for information that was going to be discussed at today’s cancelled parent workshop.
Helping Your Child Manage Friendships and Social Challenges
A Tip Sheet for parents of Primary School-aged Children
Friendships play a crucial role in your child’s emotional and social development. As a parent, you can help your child navigate friendships and social challenges by providing guidance, support, and opportunities to develop important skills.
1. Supporting Healthy Relationships
· Encourage Positive Friendships– Talk to your child about what makes a good friend (e.g., kindness, honesty, shared interests).
· Teach Social Skills– Role-play introductions, taking turns in conversation, and active listening.
· Provide Opportunities for Interaction– Arrange playdates, enrol in team activities, and encourage group play.
· Model Healthy Relationships– Show respect, empathy and good communication in your own relationships.
2. Encouraging Empathy and Kindness
· Help your child recognise feelings- Use books and discussions to talk about emotions and how others might feel in different situations.
· Practice Perspective Taking– Ask questions like “How do you think your friend felt like when that happened?”
· Praise Kind Behaviour– Acknowledge when your child is considerate, shares or helps others.
· Encourage Acts of Kindness– Suggest ways your child can brighten someone’s day, like making a card for a friend.
3. Building Conflict Resolution Skills
· Teach ‘I’ statements– Encourage your child to express feelings using statements like, “I felt sad when…” rather than blaming.
· Problem-solve Together– Guide your child to brainstorm solutions when conflicts arise.
· Role-play common scenarios– Practice handling disagreements, exclusion or teasing in a safe setting.
· Model Calm Conflict Resolution- Demonstrate how to manage disagreements respectfully at home.
4. Addressing Social Challenges
· Help Your Child Cope with Rejection or Exclusion– Validate their feelings and help them find ways to respond or seek new friendships.
· Discuss Peer Pressure- Teach them how to say “no” confidently and make choices that align with their values.
· Monitor Social Interactions– Stay aware of how friendships are developing and step in if you notice patterns of bullying or unhealthy dynamics.
· Talk About Online Safety- If your child engages in digital communication, discuss safe and respectful online interactions.
Resources for parents
Books:
–The Unwritten Rules of Friendships by Natalie Madorsky Elman and Eileen Kennedy-Moore
–How to be a Friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
–Raising a Socially Successful Child by Rosanne Tobey
Websites:
Big Life Journal- Social Emotional Learning Activities
Parenting Science- Evidence-based parenting tips
The Child Mind Institute- Social Skills Development.
Final Thoughts
If your child is struggling with friendships or facing significant social challenges, consider reaching out to their teacher, or a child psychologist for additional support.
By nurturing your child’s friendships and teaching them essential social skills, you are equipping them with the tools to build strong, positive relationships that will benefit them throughout life.