Supporting Your Child’s Friendships

While most parents know that it takes getting children together and supervising play for young children to form positive friendships, many parents may be surprised to learn that their relationship with their child can directly affect their children’s friendships.

In the spring issue of The Early Child Research & Practice (ECRP) (http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v13n1/yu.html), a peer-reviewed multilingual journal on the development, care, and education of young children, Children’s Friendship Development: A Comparative Study ) cited three major ways parents can support their children’s friendships.

The first, and most obvious, is that parents support their children’s friendships by providing social opportunities for their children. The study showed that parents who initiated more social contacts had children with more consistent playmates.

The second way that parents can support their children’s friendships is to be a coach and supervisor during times of play. Parents who initiate and supervise playtime had children who had more positive friendships.

The third and perhaps the most surprising for some parents is that parents can support their children’s friendships by having positive parent-child interactions.  When a child feels securely bonded to her primary caregiver and has positive interactions with them, it leads to positive friendships.

Most all of us are keenly aware that the parent-child relationship is an important one. It truly affects all areas of our children’s lives. As we strive to have healthy relationships with our children, we can take heart knowing that because of our healthy relationship, our children will experience a lifetime of them.

Does your child have a vast circle of friends? How do you support your child’s friendships? Share your thoughts and ideas below.

Dr. Goode is the founder of the Academy for Coaching Parents International, a global online school for training successful, parenting coaches in home-based businesses. She is the author of fifteen books, including the international best seller, Kids Who See Ghosts, the national award-winner Raising Intuitive Children. See and review all of Dr. Goode’s books here.  Dr. Goode is also the founder of HeartWise Parent, learning center for parents and Live-Spirit.com, which provides tools for spiritual living.

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