Teaching Your Child to Be a Good Friend

Building positive relationships is a necessary skill to learn from an early age. At St. Teresa Catholic School’s pre-k Titusville program, we help to foster those early relationships. Being a good friend is not necessarily an inherent skill we are born with. The friendships we make at an early age and the interactions we have within those friendships impact our lives greatly. It is important to teach your child to be a good friend and build positive relationships. Self-Esteem Is Key Creating good relationships with other children means that your child needs a good relationship with himself. Building your child’s self-esteem and confidence will keep him from searching for others to fill a void, and will foster healthy relationships rather than toxic ones. Do this by praising their hard work and accomplishments, and by highlighting his best attributes often.An Oldie, But a GoodieEvery generation of parents has told their kids at some point that they should treat others as they would want to be treated. This phrase doesn’t go away because it works, especially if your child has a strong sense of self. Teaching your child to treat those around them as they would want to be treated sets a foundation of respect that will be important for your child to foster long-lasting relationships. An Apology Is a PromiseHave you ever had a child apologize and then turn around to do the exact same thing? Well, it's never the second, third, or fourth apology that really stops his behavior. It is best to teach your child that saying “I’m sorry” is a promise to fix or stop what they are apologizing for. This helps your child build trust and understanding in the relationships that they are creating.Show and TellYour child is watching you. They are watching to learn how to do the things you do, and that means even how you build your own friendships. Showing your child positive relationships through your own friendships and interactions with others will guide him in how to be a good friend in his own relationships. Imagine your child going to pre-k for the first time and finding that one friend that will be there for their entire lives. Teaching your child how to be a good friend will help him build relationships that don’t last just years, but will last decades. With over 57 years of academic excellence, St. Teresa Catholic School, a pre-k Titusville program, provides a quality education that challenges and empowers students to develop to their full potential. Students foster qualities that are essential for lifelong learning and are equipped for future success. To learn more about why St. Teresa is the perfect fit for you and your student, contact us today.