Help your child make new friends

Friendships matter to kids. Some children dive right into play, while others need time and help. Both are completely normal.

Practice reaching out

“Can I play too?” or “Want to play?” are hard sentences for many kids. Practice them at home with teddy bears or through role-play.

Invite a friend over

It’s easier to play one-on-one, especially in your child’s own home. Plan a short playdate with a simple activity, like baking or building.

Talk about what makes a good friend

A good friend shares, listens, says sorry and asks if the other person wants to join in. Talk about it, and praise your child when you see them being a good friend.

Respect your child’s temperament

A quiet child doesn’t need lots of friends. One or two good friends can be more than enough. Don’t push your child into big groups if they don’t thrive there.

When it’s hard

If your child is often alone or gets left out, talk to the preschool staff or the teacher. They see your child in the group and can help.

Read about friendship

Stories about being new, being shy and finding a friend give your child words for their own experiences, and they show that it’s normal to feel a little unsure.

From My Mini Mindset

Want to bring these words into everyday life? Here are materials with your child’s name and a figure that looks like your child:

• The book about the new friend
• Conversation cards