Helping Your Child Be a Good Friend
Friendship isn't just about having friends — it's about being one. Here's how to nurture that skill.
We talk a lot about helping children make friends, but less about helping them be good friends. Yet friendship is a skill, and like any skill, it can be taught and practised.
The foundation is empathy — the ability to notice how another person feels. You can nurture this in everyday moments: 'How do you think she felt when that happened?' 'What would make you feel better if you were in his shoes?' These small questions build the muscle of perspective-taking.
Also model it. Your child watches how you treat your friends, your partner, the shopkeeper. They learn more from what you do than what you say. When they see you listening, being kind, and showing up for people, they internalise that as what friendship looks like.
Larry Says
"Every challenge is an opportunity in disguise. You've got this — and so does your child."
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