Helping Young Children Develop Friendships

This list contains a variety of resources associated with helping young children develop friendships.
Web Resources
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11 Ways to Encourage Friendship Skills and Social Play
Source: Brookes Publishing
This blog focuses on ways that early childhood educators can teach social skills through play in an inclusive classroom.
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4 Skills for Making Friends
Source: Understood
This article lists four types of social skills needed for your child or student to connect and make friends.
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From Feelings to Friendships: Nurturing Healthy Social-Emotional Development in the Early Years
(also in Spanish)Source: Zero to Three
This video shows how families can support infant and toddler social-emotional skills at home through supportive relationships.
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Helping Young Children Learn to Make Friends
Source: PBS
This article, focused on parents, describes the value of friendships, what parents can do to promote friendships, and discusses bullying.
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Kids who Need a Little Help to Make Friends
Source: Child Mind Institute
This article addresses what parents can do when kids struggle with social skills.
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Teaching Friendship Skills in Preschool
Source: Edutopia
This article helps early childhood educators promote healthy friendships in the preschool classroom with a few practical strategies.
About this resource
Setting(s) for which the article is intended:- Child Care Center
- Preschool Program
- Home
- Family Child Care
Intended audience(s):
- Parents / Family
- Teachers / Service providers
Age Levels (the age of the children to whom the article applies):
Related Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards: