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Friendships

Listen before solving

Help a child talk about friendship problems without rushing to fix, judge or interrogate.

  • 6-9
  • 10-13
  • 14+

When children bring us a social problem, quick advice can accidentally communicate that we do not trust them to think.

  • Try: ‘Do you want me to listen, help you think, or step in?’
  • Reflect: ‘They changed the plan, and you felt left out.’
  • Ask: ‘What options do you see? What might happen with each one?’