Every child can use a little support before starting school. Going back to school after the six-week holiday can be a challenge for a lot of children. The thought of early mornings, getting back into routine and not being able to spend as much time doing their favourite things can be overwhelming. Maybe the idea of joining a new class or making friends is making your child feel anxious, too. But not to worry, these are all normal fears before starting school. So, we’ve put together some helpful tips to support your child in their friend-making journey and to make their first few weeks a little less daunting.
Play Games:
Games are a great way for children of all ages to bond. They encourage learning, communication, and allow children to exchange ideas and advice with one another. Games also act as an “ice breaker” for children, so they don’t have to engage in small talk right away; they can break the ice by playing together and having fun. Team games are a great way for children to meet others and engage in conversation. They can discuss game tactics with their teammates and practice their listening and speaking skills. Traditional team games such as charades are a great way to build children’s confidence in front of their peers, or maybe they could try story-building games. Or, fantastic two-player games for children include two truths and a lie, common denominator and the 20 question game.
Create an “about me” profile:
An “about me” profile is a great way to showcase children’s interests, likes and dislikes. It’s exactly what it sounds like, and involves children listing things they would like their classmates to know about them, such as their favourite football team, favourite food or if they have any pets. The idea is to write these as bullet points on a flashcard and stick this to their desk for the first week when they begin school. This acts as a point of conversation with other children and is fantastic for children who find small talk or introducing themselves challenging. If you’re a teacher, use this idea as an ice breaker for your children on the first day of school, it means all the children take part in the activity together. This will encourage bonding between students, too.
Give them conversation starters:
This one may sound like an obvious one, but an important part of making friends is not only introducing yourself and talking about your interests, but also taking an interest in others’ stories and hobbies. Arming your children with a small list of questions to ask other children could be an effective way to begin a conversation and start a friendship. These questions could be simple things such as, “What’s your favourite film?”, “What’s your favourite superhero?”, “What’s your favourite colour?” or “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”. They’re all easy questions to answer and even easier to remember, making them the perfect conversation starters and encouraging friendships to blossom.
Playdates after school:
Arranging time for children to see each other outside of school can be one of the easiest ways to promote friendships between your child and their classmates. Having play dates at home means your child will feel comfortable in their usual environment, whilst socialising with new friends. It also enables them to visit other children’s homes and build up confidence outside of their own home. It can be exciting to visit friends’ homes and enables children to build a sense of independence. It allows them to bond outside of the classroom and share hobbies such as baking, playing with toys or watching films. This means they have the opportunity to build a deeper friendship in a relaxed home environment.
Join Extracurricular Activities:
Encouraging children to do activities they enjoy is a great way to support their mental health and is also a wonderful way to make friends. Children may be more likely to make friends in an environment where they feel comfortable and confident, so introducing them to new faces whilst doing something they love is a win-win. Meeting other children in extracurricular activities also means they instantly have something in common with the other children there, which is a great conversation starter. There are extracurricular activities for almost all areas, videogaming, tennis, badminton, crafts, textiles and many more, so your child is bound to find something they enjoy. If your child is into sports, you could consider putting them forward for the school hockey, football or netball team, too.
We hope you’ve found some helpful tips to pass on to your children. Starting a new school or school year can be unsettling, so using different ways to support your child through their first few weeks is bound to help build their confidence.
