Making Friends: Helping Your Child Build Social Skills
Help your child build social skills and friendships.
Larry Says
"Friends make everything braver. Be kind, be yourself, and you'll find your people."
# Making Friends
Friendship is one of the most important confidence-builders in a child's life. When children feel connected to others, they feel braver, happier and more themselves.
## Every Child is Different
Some children make friends easily. Others find it harder — and that's completely okay. There's no 'right' way to be social.
What matters is helping your child:
- **Feel comfortable** being themselves
- **Know how to join in** when they want to
- **Be a kind friend** — because kindness attracts friends
- **Handle tricky moments** when friendships get bumpy
## Building Social Confidence
### Start Small
Friendship skills start at home. Practice:
- Taking turns in games
- Listening when others speak
- Sharing — not because they have to, but because it feels good
- Saying kind things to family members
### Teach the 'Join In' Steps
1. **Watch** what the others are doing
2. **Smile** and move closer
3. **Ask** 'Can I play?'
4. **Join** in their game, don't try to change it
### Practise Kind Words
Teach your child simple, powerful phrases:
- 'Can I play with you?'
- 'That looks fun!'
- 'Do you want to be friends?'
- 'I like your drawing'
Kindness is magnetic. Children who are kind attract friends.
## When Friendships Get Tricky
Friendships have bumps. That's normal and it's actually how children learn. When things go wrong:
- **Listen first** — let them tell the whole story
- **Don't fix it immediately** — ask 'What do you think you could do?'
- **Role-play** what to say next time
- **Remind them** — one tricky moment doesn't mean they're not a good friend
## The Larry Way
Larry's friend Bounce the Bunny believes laughter and friendship make everything braver. Friendship isn't about being the most popular — it's about being kind, being yourself, and finding the people who make you feel brave.
## What to Avoid
- **Labelling** your child as 'shy' — it can become a self-fulfilling belief
- **Pushing too hard** — let them warm up at their own pace
- **Comparing** to more outgoing siblings or friends
- **Solving every problem** — let them practise navigating friendship
Key Takeaways
Friendship skills start at home with turn-taking and kindness
Teach simple 'join in' steps: watch, smile, ask, join
Kindness attracts friends — being kind is being strong
Let children navigate friendship bumps with support, not fixes
Practical Tips
Practice turn-taking and listening at home
Teach the 'join in' steps and role-play them
Avoid labelling your child as 'shy'
Let them solve small friendship problems with guidance
Conversation Starters
"Who did you play with today?"
"What makes someone a good friend?"
"What would you say if you wanted to join a game?"
Related Resources
Helping Children Build Meaningful Friendships
Friendships are where children practise being human — sharing, compromising, resolving conflict. This guide covers age-appropriate social development, handling friendship struggles, and knowing when to step in.
Read more emotional wellbeingRaising Kind Kids in a Busy World
Kindness isn't just a nice quality — it's a foundational life skill that builds empathy, strengthens relationships, and creates a better world. This guide covers how to nurture kindness at every age.
Read more emotional wellbeingSupporting Your Child's Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is as important as physical health. This guide covers the foundations of emotional health, warning signs to watch for, and practical strategies for building resilience.
Read moreYou're Doing Great
Every moment you spend learning how to support your child is a gift. Keep going.
