Why is socialising important for my child?
Playing with other children teaches them to share, to negotiate and to see things from someone else's point of view. These skills are not taught by explaining, but by practising.
Relationships with peers are one of the great drivers of development between six and twelve. With friends, children try out things they cannot do with adults: taking turns without anyone in charge, sorting out a disagreement, winning and losing.
What they gain
- Social skills: starting a conversation, asking to join in, saying no.
- Emotion regulation: coping with frustration when the game does not go their way.
- Self-esteem: feeling part of a group.
- Empathy: discovering that others think and feel differently.
How we can help
Offer a range of opportunities, such as the park, an after-school activity or inviting a classmate home. There is no need to organise everything: free play, without an adult in charge, is where they learn most. It also helps to talk afterwards about how it went, without interrogating.
Every child has their own pace
Some enjoy large groups and some prefer one or two friends. Being reserved is not a problem. But it is worth noticing if they always avoid others, come home from school sad or are never invited, and talking to the class teacher about it.