Social skills and friendships

How friendship grows

Social learning takes time and practice. Toddlers tend to play side by side. Preschoolers form first friendships. School children build closer, steadier bonds. Every child has their own pace – some need many contacts, others a single good friend. Both are completely fine.

Practising social skills

Sharing, waiting, listening, apologising – this is learned by doing. Role play at home helps to rehearse difficult situations. Praise good togetherness concretely: Lovely how you waited for your friend. This makes the social visible and repeatable.

Solving conflicts themselves

Conflict among children is a practice field, not an emergency. Do not step in at once but trust your child to find a solution. If needed, help with questions rather than verdicts: What happened? What do you wish for? This grows negotiation skill instead of dependence on you.

Recognising bullying

Bullying is more than a single quarrel – it is repeated, targeted hurting with a power imbalance. Watch for warning signs like withdrawal, tummy aches, missing things, reluctance to go to school. Take your child seriously, listen without reproach and involve the school early. No child should carry this alone.

Accompanying shy children

Reserve is not a flaw but a temperament. Do not push your child but give them time and small, safe steps into groups. A quiet child with one good friend is happier than a pushed one in a large crowd. Honour and protect their pace.

Supporting friendships at home

You can nourish friendships: invite friends, enable meetings, be a friendly host. Talk about what makes a good friend – reliability, kindness, honesty. Your home as a warm place makes it easier to let others in.