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talking about or are interested in
so that you can join in during their
conversations.
Be a nice person.
Do not gossip or make bad
comments about others.
If you have a ball or some other
thing to play with, ask others to join
you.
Learn to encourage others.
Make positive comments to people.
You have the right to say “No” when
you do not want to do something.
Stay away from fighters, bullies and
troublemakers.
Children who are constantly in
trouble with the teacher and who
bully other kids are really not
popular with anyone. Avoid them if
you want to have real friends.
Tips for parents
•• Do not expect too much too soon.
•• Expecting children at this stage to
play complex, cooperative, social
games without adult support is
probably expecting too much.
•• Support their social play.
•• Young children need adult support
to be successful in social situations.
•• Be there to guide your child when
he plays.
•• Model successful social behaviour.
•• Enjoy time with your own friends
and family members with your
children forming part of the mix.
•• Set up for success.
•• Set up your environment to make
social play easy for children. Make
sure you have enough toys so that
sharing and taking turns become
positive things.
•• Practise!
•• Let your child join a group or
activity that is of interest to him.
While they may not be engaging
in “active social play” while at a
music class they can still learn
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and practise many important
social skills such as taking turns
and listening and they get to
know other children with similar
interests.
Talk with your child openly about
friendships and how they work.
Get to know your child’s peers or
friends, and their families.
Help your child develop a sense of
belonging, through school, sports,
your church, a class or a club.
Talk with other parents at school,
sports practice and club meetings.
Be willing to host your child’s
friends at your home for playtime.
Go over “house rules” when
friends visit, and stay nearby so
that you know what they are doing
and saying.
Review your expectations with
your child when he goes to a
friend’s house to play.
Speak directly to the parents
before your child plays at someone
else’s home so that you know the
plan and they know how to reach
you if the plan changes.
Foster open communication and
clear expectations with your
children around social relationships,
which will help them develop
confidence.
Everyone has a friend,
But not me.
Someone to share with,
But not me.
Someone to play with,
But not me.
Someone to laugh with,
But not me.
Some people never have friends
But not me!
I’m going to try my very best
To have a friend just like the rest!