Friends

I can do this! - 5-8 years old

Children will begin making friends and developing their own networks at school and at after school activities. Creating social networks is a really important part of a child's development. Encourage them to make lots of friends - over time their friendship circles will change from a large group to three or four selected `best friends'.

As parents and carers your role is to support your child and provide guidance as their interactions with different groups of children will be met with successes and failures.

Your care will also be required when supervising their playtime, maintaining safe places to play and negotiating rules. Allow children to play freely and organise themselves independently. However, make sure that you monitor their safe play at regular intervals.

It is important to maintain structure, ensure that rules are applied to all children and that they are fair, just and reasonable.