How to Help Your Child Navigate Friendship Challenges 

Friendships play a vital role in a child’s emotional and social development, helping them build empathy, communication skills, and a sense of belonging. It's important to encourage healthy friendships and provide guidance when challenges arise. If your child experiences conflict or feels left out, use it as an opportunity to listen without judgment, validate their feelings, and help them brainstorm positive ways to cope or resolve the issue. Teaching your child how to set boundaries, express themselves kindly, and choose supportive friends can empower them to build strong, lasting relationships.

Primary school kids often face friendship challenges like feeling left out, dealing with jealousy, or struggling with misunderstandings due to developing communication skills. They might also experience peer pressure, shifting friendships, or tension caused by bossiness or control. As children learn how to navigate these social dynamics, it’s important to support them by encouraging open conversations, helping them understand their feelings, and guiding them toward respectful and kind interactions.

Here are some tips on helping your child navigate friendship challenges:

Listen Without Judgment – Give your child a safe space to share their feelings and experiences without immediately jumping to solutions. 

E.g. If your child says, "No one wanted to play with me today," instead of saying, "I'm sure that’s not true," try: "That sounds really hard. Do you want to tell me more about what happened?"

Validate Their Emotions - Let them know it’s okay to feel sad, angry, or confused about friendship issues.

E.g. If they’re upset about a friend leaving them out, you might say: "It makes sense that you're feeling hurt. Feeling left out is never fun."

Teach Empathy and Perspective-Taking – Help your child consider how others might be feeling to build understanding and compassion.

E.g. If there was a disagreement, ask: "How do you think your friend might have felt when that happened?" This helps them see the other side.

Practice Problem-Solving – Guide them in thinking through possible ways to handle the situation respectfully and assertively.

E.g. If your child says, "My friend keeps telling me what to do," you could ask: "What are some things you could say if you want to make your own choice?" Then brainstorm together.

Role-Play Scenarios – Practice what to say or do in tricky situations so they feel more confident.

E.g. Practice saying things like, "I don’t like it when you do that. Can we play something we both enjoy?"

Encourage Inclusivity and Kindness – Reinforce the value of being a good friend to others.

E.g. If your child only wants to invite one friend to play, encourage broader thinking: "Is there anyone else who might like to join and feel included?"

Stay in the Loop – Stay connected with teachers or other parents to understand the social dynamics at play.

Sara Ljuboja

School Counsellor