Parent Engagement in Wellbeing - Friendships
Many parents are concerned with how their children can make quality friendships in primary school. Research has found a positive link between high-quality friendships and better academic results. They also experience less stress from peer exclusion.
Social competence influences the formation of friendships and children need support to develop social skills.
Parents can support their children by implementing some simple strategies including encouraging extra curricular activities, organising play dates with peers and discussing strategies for making friends at school. Teachers also support students to make and maintain positive friendships through teaching interpersonal skills, such as providing opportunities for play and discussing friendship issues.
In this article, 'Making Friends in Primary School Can Be Tricky,' Dr Natasha Wardman discusses ways parents can support friendship formation for children.