Making new friends in a class full of unknown faces can be a daunting task. Add the coronavirus into the mix, and it’s even more challenging for little ones to make friends. “Having friends helps learners to feel more confident, they adapt easier and enjoy school more. It also has a positive effect on their academic lives,” says primary school principal of Riverside College, Lynne Arbuckle. “Making friends can be intimidating, and some learners can feel apprehensive and shy. Equipping your child with some basic new school survival skills can be useful.”
These tips may help your child make new friends:
Start with one or two children
Suggest that your child introduces themselves to just one or two people and see how it goes. Those few people may be able to introduce your child to others from there.
Get your child excited
Encourage your child to view making friends as something fun rather than intimidating. Try to get him excited at the thought of meeting new and interesting people and what he may learn from them.
Remind your child to always be kind
If your child is kind and friendly to others, chances are that his classmates will not only notice this but reciprocate it.
Encourage your child to always be themselves
Let your child know that he is great just as he is, and he doesn’t need to change in order to make friends.
Explain that one shouldn’t judge by first impressions
Encourage your child not to judge people, especially before he’s had a chance to get to know them properly. Many friendships have blossomed after initial bad impressions.
