How Young Children Socialize: Keys to Helping Your Child Keep Appropriate Friends

Making friends at school is usually easy for many children. Finding the proper friends is where the problem lies for some. Many times out of desperation  to be accepted by the peer group young children and adolescents choose to associate with kids who are inappropriate. Below are some characteristics you should look out for in your youngster's friends. If you child says one of the following you need to get involved.


1) The friend is cool and other kids are afraid of him.

2) Teachers are afraid of him.

3) Teachers at school don't understand him. He's always getting into trouble.

4) Kids respect him because he doesn't let anyone push him around.

5) He makes a lot of jokes during class.

6) He does whatever he wants at school and gets away with it.


Many children associate with certain kids because of a benefit they think they'll receive from keeping company with these kinds of people. For example the popular kids, the tough kids, the smart or lazy kids, the athletic kids or class clowns are common people kids like to be around. Although you should allow your child a certain degree of independence when choosing friends, be specially mindful during the ages of 6 - 15. These are the ages when children are most impressionable.

Below are some ways you can help your child keep appropriate friends.

1) Invite your child's friend to your home to get to know him better. Ask him questions about his ideals, goals, and dreams.

2) Enroll your child in an after school activity or club where he or she will have opportunities to meet the kind of people you approve of.

3) Obtain the phone numbers of your child's closest friends. Speak with the parents periodically to find out how the friend is doing academically and socially.



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