They want connection but don’t know how to start
Some kids need help learning how to approach peers, join play, introduce themselves, or keep a simple back-and-forth interaction going.
Help Your Child Build the Skills to Make Friends
If your child has trouble making friends at school, in preschool, kindergarten, or during play, you’re not alone. Get clear, age-appropriate support to understand what may be getting in the way and how to encourage stronger friendship skills.
About 3–5 minutesPrivate assessmentNo long answers
About this assessment
Answer a few questions for personalized guidance on making friends
Share how hard it feels for your child to start or keep friendships right now, and we’ll help you identify practical next steps for social skills, confidence, and connection.
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When making friends feels harder than expected
Some children jump into friendships easily, while others need more time, support, and practice. A child who struggles with making friends may be shy, unsure how to join in, overwhelmed in groups, or still learning key social skills like taking turns, reading cues, and starting conversations. Whether you’re worried about a toddler making friends, a preschooler making friends, or a child making friends at school, the right support can help.
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Common reasons a child may have trouble making friends
Big feelings get in the way
Frustration, anxiety, sensitivity, or fear of rejection can make it harder for children to stay flexible and relaxed during social moments.
The setting may be challenging
Busy classrooms, new groups, unstructured play, or changing routines can make friendship-building harder, especially in preschool, kindergarten, or school settings.
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Friendship skills parents can help build
Starting interactions
Teach simple ways to say hello, ask to join, offer a toy, or invite another child to play. Small scripts can make social situations feel more manageable.
Keeping play going
Children often need practice with turn-taking, sharing ideas, listening, and handling small disagreements so play can continue smoothly.
Reading social cues
Learning to notice facial expressions, body language, and tone helps kids understand when a friend is interested, upset, or ready for a different activity.
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Support that fits your child’s age and stage
How to teach kids to make friends depends a lot on development. Toddlers may need help with parallel play and simple sharing. Preschoolers often benefit from coaching on joining games and using words during conflict. Kindergarten-age children may need support with confidence, group play, and early friendship expectations at school. Personalized guidance can help you focus on the next most useful skill instead of trying everything at once.
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Ways to encourage kids to make friends at home and school
Practice before social situations
Role-play greetings, invitations, and problem-solving at home so your child feels more prepared when real moments come up.
Create smaller, easier opportunities
One-on-one playdates, short playground visits, or familiar routines can feel less overwhelming than large groups or long events.
Work with teachers when needed
If your child is having difficulty making friends at school, teachers can often share patterns they notice and help create supportive social opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for my child to have trouble making friends?
Yes. Many children need time and support to develop friendship skills. Some are naturally cautious, some are still learning social cues, and some do well in certain settings but struggle in others. Difficulty making friends does not automatically mean something is wrong.
How can I help my child make friends at school?
Start by identifying the specific challenge: joining play, speaking up, managing emotions, or keeping interactions going. Then practice those skills at home, create low-pressure social opportunities, and check in with teachers about what they observe during the school day.
What if my preschooler or toddler isn’t making friends yet?
At younger ages, friendship often looks different than parents expect. Toddlers and preschoolers are still learning how to play near others, share attention, and take turns. Focus on simple social experiences, modeling friendly behavior, and short, supported play opportunities.
Can social skills for making friends be taught?
Yes. Skills like greeting others, asking to join, listening, turn-taking, handling disappointment, and reading basic social cues can all be taught and practiced over time.
When should I seek more guidance for child friendship skills?
If your child seems consistently distressed, isolated, rejected by peers, or stuck despite support, it can help to get more personalized guidance. Understanding the pattern is often the first step toward effective support.
Personalized assessment
Get personalized guidance for your child’s friendship challenges
Answer a few questions to better understand what may be affecting your child’s ability to make or keep friends, and get practical next steps tailored to their age, setting, and social skill needs.