How do you teach your child to be a better friend?

Answer 1

Listen when he describes his day, his interaction with classmates, words he overhead, stories he was told.

Learn the names of his friends and ask questions about them "did you talk to ____ today? How was his day?" and listen to the reply.

When there is a conflict, listen to his side first, then ask how he thinks the other child felt or what was said.

Set a good example by saying please and thank you to other adults, shaking hands in front of him, listening to a friend and not letting my child interrupt. After the conversation, let him know I was listening to a friend and it's not polite to interrupt.

Children are sponges and pick up on every clue we place for them, both the intentional and unintentional ones....

Answer 2

The first thing to do is tell the child what a friend is. It could be they don't understand friendship. The next thing is to ask them what kind of friend would they like to have. Then remind the child to act as if he or she were the friend they want. To top it all off model the behavior when in contact with the child as well as your friends and their children. It is all about concept. Change the concept of the behavior. This should assist the child in being a better friend. It also never hurts to correct the behavior while it is occurring. Maybe even separate the child for a few minutes just to talk and analyze what is going on.

Answer 3

I believe that our kids learn to treat people in the same way that they have been treated and also in the same way that they see YOU treat those around you.

You need to " be a friend " in front of her .. let her see YOU being a friend .. make her a part of some of your social events and make a point of having friends over more often so she sees how friends interact.

I know this to be fact because my husband and I were separated for 2 years (until just recently)...and for those two years my youngest son lived primarily with him (they are very very close) and my oldest with me ... I am a very social person and frequently have a girlfriend or two over to dinner at least twice a week ..maybe we would all see a movie ..do shopping ..or even play cards with my son .. now my oldest is very friendly and is so much like me ....Now my husband has 1 close friend and has never ever had any others ..he might have some work related pals but he never ever 'hangs out' or buddy's up ..or anything that really would constitute being a friend .. no sharing storys or keeping secrets or lending a hand ..nothing of that nature ever ..in fact he doesn't even understand doing things like that and my youngest son prefers to be on his own ..not that he is anti-social, but certainly he could live without seeing or talking to a friend for an extended amount of time whereas my older son and I could not ..
So rather than calling a sitter ..include her regularly and show her how it's done.

Answer 4

This is one of those where you teach through example.

Since there isn't any more information to go on I'm not sure how helpful I can be.

You can make polite suggestions. For instance; if the child say "I'm thirsty." You can say something like, "Ok, so what should you(we) do to fix that." and if that doesn't get a polite response then you can continue prompt the child in the right direction, or just tell them what they should say to have a better chance of getting exactly what they want.

If your looking for hugs, and cuddling from a child then i can't help you until I know more about the child in question. That kind of thing is more determined by the child's age, sex, shyness, and number of siblings and other relatives.

So with the information you have given my best advice is to be the best friend that you can be to the child in question. Tell them how you are feeling without blaming them for it. (Hint: use "I" instead of "you") and talk in a why that the child can understand. For example if the child is still rather young then use your imagination to pull them out of the doldrums. with something like, "Wouldn't it be nice if we had wings and could fly every where instead of walking all the time" or " I wish we had a pet dragon who could scare away invaders" Just something to get their imagination working, and something fun too.

Good luck

Answer 5

To teach a child to be a better friend.. well i take it your talking about a young child. But most children want to make friends, but to teach them to be better ones is something i don't hear much of i thought the first problem was to get the child to not be shy and be postive and out going and treat everyone with respect which if a child can do that and be him/her self then they will make good friends in no time.

Answer 6

Teaching a child to be a better friend is tricky at best. First, children should be able to choose their own friends and as they get older, parents can guide them but not lecture them. If you noticed that your son or daughter is being disrespectful of people's feelings, then this is a parenting issue. Ask the child how they think so and so feels about that. Remind the child that sometimes giving is more important than getting. Most of all, we must let the child develop at their own pace, many times kids outgrow old friends and what looks like rudeness is really the childs way of "moving on" It is best to ask "why don't you like Jimmy anymore?"

Answer 7

Show your child examples of how you are also a friend to them. Every time you do something for your child that you believe should be the way your child treats his friends, point it out , let them know that's what friends do for each other. When your child seems unfriendly towards you let them know that they shouldn't treat friends that way. Showing by example and providing the reasons why, is in my opinion, the best way for children to learn the benefits of being a better friend. Keeping the reality that sometimes the better person doesn't always get the better benefit of the doubt in some circumstances, always let them know that the world isn't such a bad place because of good people. The reason why people can be friends is because of the good things we can help each other accomplish, not because of competition or selfish entertainment. Leave those things for strangers that agree to engage in such things as sports or staged entertaining. Also, let them know how unhealthy it is to try to be every ones friend by showing how your friendship with your child is very valuable and must be cherished. I hope that was helpful...

Answer 8

Friendship is a hard thing to teach, however kids learn by experiencing. Be a friend to your child, but be careful to not lose your role as a parent in doing this. Have your child spend time with children who are best-friends so that he can see how they interact, don't be bothered by the fact that he feels like a 3rd wheel. This is an important feeling, it will motivate him to behave in such a way as to be part of the group instead of an outsider. And if nothing else talk to your child, social skills lead to friendship and many public schools offer an elective class for students to study social skills. Basically teach your child to listen and be polite and friendship will come.

Answer 9

I think above all you must lead by example. My daughter is 8 years old and I have always told her to treat her friends the way she wants to be treated. Before she gets together with more than one friend or family member that is a child, I always remind her not to treat anyone any differently than she normally would. Kids have a way of doing what their friends are doing, but they have to know that they have to do the right thing all the time even if you not around. I have an example the other day I was at my friend's house with my 2 daughters and my older daughter (8) was talking the little girl next door who was with her uncle. The little girl said to my daughter, "Isn't he ugly?". Mind you she was not whispering at all. I asked him what my daughter said and he said, "Nothing.". He said, "You know she is not getting involved in that." and I said, "She had better not."
I've been friends with my best friend since we were 6 years old and we're turning 28 this month, so you see I have experience. lol We've have never had a big falling out and we are pretty sure that we have never stayed mad at each other for more than a day.
How old is your child? I have a 2 1/2 year old that I'm still working on. lol Her vocabulary is improving by the day so I'm hoping soon to be able to reason with her a little more in regards to being a better friend.

Answer 10

One way to set an example would be to invite one of you child's friends for milk and cookies or tea and biscuits. Let the mother in on your plan and then make sure the two of you greet one another politely. You and your child should have already discussed all of the correct manners for the hour or so that your guests will be with you. Manage coats, show them where to wash their hands, if the children are boys let them hold the chairs for the moms. Allow your child to serve the cookies and if age appropriate the milk. Have napkins already on the table. Involve each person in conversation. Your child will enjoy the interaction and will quickly start talking to his friend. If things begin to get out of hand calmly speak to the children and say, we don't treat friends that way. See, _________ and I aren't doing that. Let's try to be nicer, OK? Don't expect the children to sit still for more than the time it takes to eat their cookies and then allow them to play within sight for a while. Do this several times with different children and your little one will begin to understand. It can take until a child is out of school before they truly learn to value friendships and treat others as they want to be treated; but, you have noticed a problem and that and your willingness to do something will make a difference

Answer 11

Well, As a Psychologist, I can understand that its difficult to make a child understand by words but "Actions speak louder than words" is the best answer for your question.

In other words, Be a good friend first set the example before the child & s/he shall follow your footsteps. Thats what exactly a child does, as per my knowledge.
REMEMBER: The child learns through oservation.
So the Parent must be careful while talking with others in front of your child.
You either make/ break the child's life, as the child starts the journey of life at first with parents & parents are the foundation cause.
I am sure this will work for you, as it has to many parents.