Limor Jasinski, a Mindset Coach for Kids and Teens based in Warsaw, founder of Wisdom Kids Academy, on how to build long-lasting friendships

Friendships play a crucial role in our children’s emotional development. They build self-esteem, improve social skills, and create a sense of belonging. But building and maintaining lasting friendships isn’t always easy, especially in today’s fast-paced world. As parents, we want to help our children navigate these social waters with confidence and resilience.

In this article, I’ll share practical, research-based strategies inspired by Dale Carnegie’s timeless wisdom from his classic book How to Win Friends & Influence People. With over a decade of experience coaching children and teens, I’ve seen firsthand how these techniques can help kids develop friendships that last a lifetime.

  1. Understanding the Challenge

Building friendships can be challenging, whether your child is in lower primary or navigating adolescence. Some struggle with making new friends, while others may find it hard to maintain connections. As parents, it’s crucial to recognize that helping our children build lasting friendships isn’t just about finding the right friends—it’s about teaching them the skills to nurture relationships.

  1. Identifying Key Struggles

Does your child have difficulty starting conversations with peers? Do they often feel left out or experience rejection from friends? These are common signs that your child may struggle to build strong, lasting connections. Other signs include:

  • Avoidance of social situations like playdates
  • Trouble resolving conflicts with friends
  • Low self-esteem related to social interactions
  1. Building Positive Routines

Routine is key to developing social skills. By creating daily or weekly opportunities for your child to interact with their peers, you can help them practice these skills over time.

Here are some practical ways to do this:

  • Encourage Genuine Interest: Help children show interest in their friends’ lives using statements that feel natural for their age group

Key takeaway: Teach your child to show interest in what their friends enjoy, like a favorite game, hobby, or trending topic.

  • Compliment Others: Help your child recognize positive qualities in their peers. Here are examples:
    • “You’re really fast when we play tag!”
    • “That’s a great outfit, I love your style.”

Key takeaway: Encourage your child to give sincere, specific compliments to make others feel appreciated.

  • Be a Good Listener: Practice listening at home by playing the “Listening Game.” Ask follow-up questions like:
    • “What happened next?”
    • “What would you do differently if it happened again?”

Key takeaway: Being a good listener strengthens friendships by showing friends you care about what they’re saying.

  1. Creating Low-Pressure Opportunities for Practice

Children often feel overwhelmed in large social settings, so it’s essential to create low-pressure environments where they can practice social skills.

Suggestions:

  • Playdates with One or Two Friends: Smaller groups provide a relaxed setting for practicing conversation and cooperation.
  • Join Group Activities: Clubs, sports teams, or art classes offer natural ways to meet peers with similar interests.
  • Role-Playing at Home: Prepare for social situations by role-playing how to introduce themselves or resolve a disagreement.

Key takeaway: Low-pressure settings offer your child a chance to develop friendships without feeling overwhelmed.

  1. Encouraging Self-Motivation

Help your child develop intrinsic motivation for maintaining friendships by fostering ownership of their social growth.

How can you foster this?

  • Model Friendship Skills: Share your own experiences of maintaining friendships and handling challenges.
  • Celebrate Small Wins: If your child includes someone in a game, celebrate that success.
  • Encourage Reflection: After interactions, ask reflective questions like, “What did you enjoy about playing with your friends today?”

When to Seek Professional Support

While most children can learn to build friendships with support, some may benefit from professional help. If your child struggles with social anxiety or making friends, it may be time to seek additional guidance.

As an expert in Confidence and Mindset Coaching for Kids and Teens, I help children develop the social and emotional skills needed for friendships and beyond. If you think your child could benefit from coaching, feel free to reach out.

Final Thoughts

Friendships are essential to your child’s growth and happiness. By teaching them to show genuine interest, encouraging self-motivation, and creating opportunities for them to practice social skills, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of meaningful connections.

About the Author

Limor Jasinski – the founder of Wisdom Kids Academy in Poland, and a fervent advocate for children’s development. A Tel Aviv native, Limor’s journey in nurturing young minds began early in her career when she worked as a caretaker for children, revealing her innate connection with them. This connection sparked a lifelong passion that led her across continents, from the welcoming communities of Canada to the enchanting landscapes of Poland and Warsaw.

Limor holds over a decade of experience in coaching, starting with her certification from TUT Coaching College and followed by advanced training at the Robbins-Madanes Training program in the U.S. She further honed her skills by earning a Practitioner of Excellence certificate from The Strategic Intervention Coaching Institute and becoming a certified Wisdom life coach for kids through Adventures in Wisdom.

At Wisdom Kids Academy, Limor uses the WISDOM System for Coaching Kids™, a part of the Adventures in Wisdom™ Curriculum. This innovative program, which includes 27 specially designed books, has been adopted by life coaches in over 30 countries to develop personal growth and leadership skills in children and teens. Limor’s curriculum focuses on essential life skills like resilience, self-esteem, and overcoming fears through compelling storytelling, enabling kids to confidently face life’s challenges.

Limor takes pride in her role as a coach, inspiring greatness and encouraging each child to dream big and develop a robust mindset for overcoming any obstacle. Under her guidance, children at Wisdom Kids Academy embark on a transformative journey of growth and discovery, unlocking their potential and achieving their goals with confidence and excitement. Connect with Limor: limor@wisdom-kidsacademy.com, Instagram, Facebook. Wisdom Kids Academy’s website in English.

Wisdom Kids Academy’s services

Explore our full range of offerings and real-life success stories on our website: wisdom-kidsacademy.com. Interested in personalized coaching or engaging workshops for schools and parents? We cover various topics of growth mindset, such as Strengthening Self-Confidence and Making Good Decisions. How do you instill values and self-responsibility at home? Visit us to learn more and share your experiences. Together, let’s enrich our parenting skills and empower our children for a brighter future!

Testimonial from a Courageous Young Climber: “I was always scared of heights, like really scared, but Miss Limor changed all that! After just one session with her, where she taught me these four cool steps to manage my fear, I felt like I could do anything. And you know what? I went rock climbing! At first, I was like, ‘Oh no, what if I fall?’ But then I remembered what Miss Limor said, ‘You can do it, you have what it takes, you’re safe, and everything’s going to be okay.’ So, I talked to myself, just like she taught me, and I did it! I climbed higher and higher, and it was amazing! I came back jumping with joy because I overcame my fear of heights. Thank you, Miss Limor, for helping me feel so happy and brave! – A beaming young adventurer”
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