Children are remarkable in their ability to build bonds and friendships, often forming close-knit groups with peers they interact with daily. These friendships provide a sense of belonging, support, and camaraderie. It is something all children benefit from.
They don’t need loads of friends but having a small group of friends with different personalities is a good thing. However, many children just stick to their friends and don’t tend to look outside their group in terms of engagement. Yes, they may say, ‘hi’ to other children but do they really care about them? Do they notice if they need help or are down in the dumps?
It is important to teach children that their capacity for kindness and communication shouldn’t be limited to their inner circle of friends and that being friendly to everyone is something really nice to do.
Being Friendly Beyond A Friendship Group
Just because someone isn’t part of their closest friends doesn’t mean they shouldn’t care about them. This simple act of friendliness can make a significant difference in someone’s day and promotes a more inclusive and compassionate society. We want children to be inclusive and see what’s happening beyond their close friends and it gives them an understanding of the value of being open and friendly to all. These qualities will serve them well throughout their lives as they grow into caring and considerate adults. The ability to talk to anyone and be concerned about them is so useful.
It shows other children that they are friendly, can be helpful and are willing to offer assistance when a classmate is struggling. Simple acts of kindness like reaching out to people who are feeling left out or upset can make a significant difference to how the other child feels. All it takes is for children to notice what is going on for their other classmates and take it upon themselves to do something about it. Going over to talk to them, make them laugh, give advice or checking in. It’s a lovely trait to have – to care for others who are not close to you. And it is certainly better than ignoring them and what you see.
If you feel your child needs help with friendships take a look at The Parent’s Toolkit or give me a call to book a coaching session.
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