Q: How do friendships develop?
Children are naturally sociable from birth. Babies use their developing physical and social skills to make contact with others - watch how they enjoy interacting by giving and taking objects, or simply sitting and smiling at each other.
Friendships develop gradually through time spent in the company of other children, although it is not until around primary school age that children begin to play consistently with the same friend, or group. Before that, joining tends to depend on whether a game or activity interests them. Some young children happily play alongside others while not necessarily playing together.
Through shared experiences with their peers, children begin to learn the value of trust, honesty, support and reliability. It also helps for your child to have contact with children who are a little older, who can act as role models and demonstrate the caring and nurturing aspects of their characters.
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