How to help your child make friends at school

10 tips to help your child make friends

1. Ask about the children your child likes, and invite one over to play.
2. Practise greetings: saying hello with a smile and the friend's name.
3. Role play joining a game: "Can I play too?"
4. Teach your child to ask questions and listen to the answers.
5. Practise sharing and taking turns at home.
6. Help your child find a shared interest, like a sport, drawing or a club.
7. Teach kind words: please, thank you, well done and sorry.
8. Talk through what to do if someone says no: try another group or ask again later.
9. Tell the class teacher if your child seems alone, so they can pair them up.
10. Praise small steps: "You said hello to Riya today. That was brave!"

12 conversation starters for kids

1. Hi, I'm ... What's your name?
2. Can I play with you?
3. What's your favourite game?
4. Do you like drawing?
5. What did you bring for lunch?
6. Which cartoon do you like?
7. Do you want to sit with me?
8. That's a nice bag. Where did you get it?
9. Do you have a pet?
10. What are you doing on the weekend?
11. Can you show me how to play that?
12. Do you want to be partners?

How can I help my child make friends at school?

Practise greetings and conversation starters at home, role play joining a game, invite a classmate over, and ask the teacher to help pair your child up.

My child has no friends at school. What should I do?

Stay calm and supportive, talk to the class teacher, find one child your child likes and arrange a playdate, and practise what to say.

What can my child say to start a conversation?

Simple lines like "Can I play with you?", "What's your favourite game?" or "Do you want to sit with me?" work well.