Supporting your child

Friendship Reflections: 

Two Stars and a Wish

At the end of the day, children can think about how they were a good friend. A star might be, "I asked someone to play with me." Another star might be, "I shared toys during group time." A wish could be, "Next time, I want to listen more when my friend is talking. "This helps children remember the good things they did and set a goal for next time.

Talk About Friendship

• Ask open-ended questions like:
  • “Who did you play with today?”
  • “What games did you play?”
  • “How did you feel during playtime?”

• Talk about what makes a good friend (kindness, sharing, listening).

   

  Role-Play Social Situations

• Practice simple scenarios at home:
  • “What would you say if you wanted to join a game?”
  • “What can you do if someone says ‘no’?”
  • “How can you be a good friend on the playground?”

Set Up Playdates

• Keep them short and structured at first (1–2 hours).
• Choose simple, cooperative activities (building, crafts, baking).
• Observe gently to support sharing or conflict resolution if needed.

Model Friendly Behaviour

• Children learn from watching. Let them see you:
  • Greet neighbours kindly
  • Apologise when needed
  • Solve problems calmly
  • Narrate your thinking: “I’m listening to my friend because it’s kind.”

Listen Without Judgment

• If your child is struggling with friends, avoid rushing to fix it.
• Empathise first: “That must have felt hard.”
• Then brainstorm together: “What could you try next time?”