For your little one, starting nursery school can be a very exciting time. However, it will be a completely new experience that might seem a bit daunting at first.
This brief guide explains how to support your child as they develop friendship skills.
Understand that all children are different
Nursery can be one of the first times your children begin engaging in shared activities with other children. By the age of three, some children might have a clear idea of who their friends are or who they want them to be. They might express a desire to play with them at nursery and even engage in playdates. By four years old, it’s even easier for children to differentiate between their friends and other children their age.
It’s important to remember that all children are unique and will have completely different attitudes towards making friends. Some will seem more confident and will be able to make friends easily, while others may take a little longer to get comfortable with joining in with a group. So, try not to worry if your child seems a little more shy than their peers.
Teach your child what makes a good friend
The best thing you can do as a parent or caregiver is to help your child understand what makes a good friend. This could involve:
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Talking and listening – stress the importance of showing an interest in what other people have to say and showing an interest.
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Sharing and taking turns – when children are playing with their peers, make sure you teach them not to snatch toys away and to be patient in waiting their turn.
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Winning and losing graciously – your child will need to learn how to not be boastful when they win a game and to similarly not be bad-tempered when they lose.
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Being kind – make sure your child tries to make an effort to think of others and be considerate of other children’s feelings.
Many of these skills can be learned in the home, especially if your child has a sibling to practise with.
Help your child make friends during play
Here are some ideas for helping your child make friends during play:
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Give your child and their friends different options and ideas for play.
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Encourage your child to watch what others are doing and join in
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Talk about ways your child could start play and invite others to join
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Stay close and keep an eye on what’s going on
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Put your child’s special toys away when friends come over
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Be firm on aggressive behaviour
At Little Acorns Day Nursery, our primary motivation is to guarantee the ongoing wellbeing, happiness and emotional nourishment of every child put into our care. Our expert childcare services fully cater to the developmental, emotional and educational needs of your little one – from baby daycare to our holiday club, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to find out more about what we offer.