Photo by: Aman Shrivastava
It usually starts with a smile, a simple conversation, or maybe you do not even remember anymore how that important person in your life became who they are now – you could be best friends since you were just little kids, or you just simply clicked! It doesn’t matter how, but you either consciously or unconsciously know how to make a friend.
They say that “no man is an island.” As much as every person in this world has heard of it, its truthfulness will never change. We human beings are social beings, and social interactions are a large part of our lives.
Elaine Vanderberg, author of the books “Chloe The Left Behind Angel” and “Sammie the Sad Salamander,” writes down fascinating stories that revolve around similar themes: being aware of their own selves through self-reflection and creating or maintaining connections with the people around them. In our lives, friendship is one of the most significant relationships. Children who are still learning the ropes of life need proper guidance from adults, and that is where we come in!
The little ones begin developing friendships in their own humble abode. Maybe you would call friends who also have kids of their own so your child can have a playmate! Your little one can also find a friend on the playground, at the park, or even at the school they attend, which is where they will be spending the majority of their time as soon as they are at the right age to do so.
As your precious little one makes friends and learns how to be a good one, they develop important skills that will shape not just their childhood but also their future, especially with how they form relationships with other people. That is why it is important to help the young understand how important friendship is, especially on how to be a good one at that!
The emotional and social development of children depends on how they interact with others. As with everything else in life, learning a skill takes time, patience, and even grit. The more effort is put into practice, the easier it gets. With that said, here are a few vital tips to keep in mind (and teach them!) when it comes to how your little one can make a friend and, most of all, how to be the awesome friend that other children deserve:
When meeting a potential or new friend
Whether it be at the library, at a local toy store, at the playground, at school, or anywhere else where there is a chance to connect with another kid, it is highly understandable that no matter what the age, it can be quite awkward to begin a conversation with someone you have never met before. If you are the parent and you are aiming to help your little one find a new friend, you can definitely start to help them by pretending to be a new potential friend and start up a conversation with them. Below are a few ideas for conversation-starters:
“I like your T-shirt!”
“I read that book you’re reading too!”
“Do you also watch (insert favorite TV show)?”
“Is that your dog/cat? He/she looks so adorable!
How to keep being a good friend
So, your precious little one finally has new friends. As with everything else in life, the beginning is all sunshine and rainbows. However, when not taken care of, friendships can also dwindle down. So remind your kid of the following:
“Keep your promises and always do what you will say you will do.”
“Good friends are there through thick and thin.”
“An awesome friend is someone who brings out the best in people.”
“An amazing friend is someone who is generous with what they have – especially with their time.”
Photo by: Kenneth Surillo
What to do to keep a friend
Nothing in life is perfect; even friendships have their ups and downs. No matter what age, disagreements are bound to happen, but most of the time, it is easy to get right back on track by teaching your little one the following important actions:
Take time to cool off, step away, and take a few deep breaths if and when a conversation is heating up into a major disagreement. Anger can make a person say or do a few things that they cannot take back anymore, so that means always thinking twice or even thrice before making a choice with regard to your actions. Most of all, if possible, talk it out as calmly as possible.
With all that said, it all boils down to two important matters: effort and reciprocation. Friendships can only bloom when both sides dedicate patience and time to one another, especially when it comes to understanding each other’s differences. Most of all, keep in mind that your flaws make you unique, and be sure to instill this in your little one’s mind, too!
Elaine Vanderberg’s literary work is one that you should definitely read together with your child. Why? It tackles an important topic: Feeling left out from the rest because they know that they are not quite the same as others. After all, every person is uniquely and wonderfully made to embrace life. Order a copy of “Sammie, The Sad Salamander” today!
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