Helping Children Make Friends at Kindergarten

Being the new kid on the block can be a difficult thing. Your school aged child may become a bit stressed and anxious when leaving everything they know behind and have to start over. Everyone needs a friend, regardless of their age. So, teaching your child how to make new friends is very important for their social and emotional well-being. Many of our preschoolers heading to Kindergarten have already met their future classmates from being enrolled Bright Beginnings! But sometimes families move across town or move to a different state where their child doesn't know anyone! If this is the case for you, read on to learn some tips and tricks to help your child make some new friends.

1. Sign Them Up for a Club or Sport Birds of a feather flock together. So, your child will probably have the best luck with making friends by joining a club or sport that interest them. This way, they’ll already have something in common with the other children in these activities, and it will help your child strike up a conversation or instantly feel a part of a team. These activities tend to take pressure off a one on one engagement since so many children around around. If your kids are ultra-shy and don’t show an interest in a club or sport, then start slowly and accompany them to a park, local arcade, library, or rec center to help them dip their toe into the water!
2. A Compliment Goes a Long Way A great ice breaker that helps strike up a conversation is a compliment. Teach your child to be observant and hand out a sincere compliment to a new classmate. Everyone loves to get noticed and recognized for something. Tell your child not to overdo it and to pass on positive praise when they mean it.
3. Ask Questions Most kids are very outgoing and friendly. So teach your child to ask questions to others. They can ask questions about teachers, homework policy, clubs or events, where the fun places to hang out are-the sky is the limit. Once they start to feel comfortable asking for things, they’ll learn to be comfortable just randomly striking up a conversation with other peers and even teachers. They just need a jumping off place and the ability to establish a common bond.
4. Send Them in Ready to Share Send your child into school with an extra pencil or two. This way, if they notice a classmate in need of one, they can offer assistance. This will not only help with responsibility but will show their classmates they are kind, helpful, and friendly. You may even wish to send in a first day treat (if it’s ok with your child’s teacher), so children can celebrate your child’s arrival.
5. Establish A Connection You may want to touch base with your child’s new guidance counselor upon their arrival to a new school. The counselor can check on your child, offer guidance, and even make suggestions about how they can establish relationships. The counselor may even pair your child up with a positive role model for the week to help them get on their feet. This is a great opportunity to teach your child to make friends with others who are respected, respectful, and also trustworthy. These peer mentors may also be able to introduce your child to some other students who are just like them.

Being new to a school can be a big transition for your little one- and YOU! But, most importantly you can help ease your child’s social anxiety by not being calm and positive yourself! If you show your little one that you are super excited for him and have a positive spin on his next chapter, chances are he will be more willing to give things a shot!