Friendships are a huge part of childhood. For some children, especially those who are neurodivergent or who have social communication challenges, making and maintaining friendships can be incredibly difficult. It can feel as though they are trying to solve a puzzle without having a picture on the box.
Therefore, it’s important for teachers and parents to help kids connect with each other. But simply sending them outside to play often isn’t enough. We need to give them safe opportunities to be together and teach them how to develop social relationships gradually.
When you intentionally teach our children how to socialize with the right supports in place, you can help your child build friendships in a way that feels natural to them.
With empathy and patience, learning how to make friends can become a joyful part of your child’s life.
Actionable Steps:
#1. Teach About Making Friends
Some kids need explicit instructions about how to talk to their friends. It’s an important skill to develop overtime. You can teach your children by having them watch my YouTube video on Social Stories to teach your children exactly what they need to say when they approach their friends or when a friend comes over to talk to them. They should learn how to:
- 1. Recognize facial expressions.
- 2. Introduce themselves.
- 3. Ask to join a game.
- 4. Take turns and share on a playdate.
#2. Develop Friendships
Use the social stories noted in the previous step and take it a step further. Have children practice what they are learning by role playing with their peers and enjoying activities written and artistic activities. This will help them learn how to handle rejection kindly and start conversations about interests that they share in common.
My Social Stories Slides and Activity Packs will provide you with ready-to-use visuals and interactive lessons to teach these skills in a fun and engaging way.
#3. Create Friendship Opportunities
Since large and noisy groups can feel overwhelming to some children, create a low stress environment for them.
- 1. Set up one-on-one playdates.
- 2. When they are ready, move on to small group activities.
- 3. Teach them about structured games and explain their rules clearly.
- 4. When they are ready, gradually increase the group size.
Recap:
Let’s recap really quickly. Today, we looked at the following:
- The reason why it’s important to teach children how to make friends and why some children struggle with it.
- How to help your child when they are struggling to make friends: teach about making friends, develop friendships, and create friendship opportunities.
Free Resources:
For a taste of the resources that were mentioned in step two, check out the following resource in my FREE Education Resource Library.
Teach your little ones how to make good choices with the following FREE Resource:
Next Steps:
If you found this video beneficial, would you do me a favor? Share this with your family, your friends, your loved ones, your co-workers or someone who you think could benefit from this. Thank you!
You’re welcome to join us inside ADHD and Autism Self Regulation by CLICKING HERE or on the fallowing image.
I’ll see you next Friday at 5:30pm PST.
Until I see you next time, remember to create, experience & teach from the heart.
Take care,
Charlotte
Disclaimer: I’m a teacher and a parent. I’m not a medical professional, so please don’t take this as medical advice. The advice that I provide in my videos and online are strategies that I have used in my own class or at home that have worked beautifully.
