Making Friends
Here's What To Do
1
Choose two stuffed animals (or dolls or action figures).
2
Use the animals to play pretend, with your child being the voice for one animal and you being the voice for the other. Practice conversations that your child might use to help make a new friend.
3
As your child gets more comfortable with the game, you can prompt them to start the conversation.
4
Talk with your child about how they could try to make a new friend in real life.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Sit down on the floor with your child, and give them one of the stuffed animals.
E
Engage:
- "Let's pretend Bear and Lion are meeting each other for the first time at the playground. Hello, it's nice to meet you. My name is Bear, what's yours?"
- "Lion, would you like to play on the swings with me?"
E
Encourage:
- "How do you usually say hello to friends at school? Do you smile, wave, hug?"
- "What do you think the Lion should do next if he wants Bear to be his friend?"
R
Reflect:
- "Is there anyone at school you'd like to be your friend? How could you try to do that?"
Not quite ready?
Model both sides of the conversation for your child.
Ready for more?
The next time you're at a playground or another place with other children, encourage your child to try to make a new friend.
As your child masters this skill...
They will be more comfortable approaching a new child they'd like to play with.