Making Friends — The Building Blocks of Life
- Carina Dai
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
In a few weeks many children will be returning to school or starting at a new school. For some kids this is exciting; for others it can be anxiety-provoking—especially if they struggle with social situations. The simple skill of making new friends is a fundamental building block for a successful life. Friends provide comfort, companionship, social outlets, and networking opportunities. Helping children feel confident approaching social situations now sets them up for healthier relationships in the future.
As a teacher or daycare worker, you see these dynamics every day. By quietly observing — being a “fly on the wall” — you notice who’s outgoing, who leads, who fixes problems, who intimidates, and who sits alone. Those observations let you offer targeted support to children who are socially distant.
Tips for coaching shy children
Model friendly behaviour. Children learn by watching. Be mindful of how you interact with others: kindness, positivity, and respectful communication teach valuable social habits.
Praise brave attempts. When a child reaches out to another or tries to join a group, acknowledge the effort. Praise builds confidence and reinforces the behaviour.
Avoid comparisons. Every child is unique. Comparing one child to another can undermine confidence and make social risks feel more dangerous.
Encourage gently. Pushy tactics backfire. Offer gentle invitations and opportunities for participation, and let the child engage at their own pace.
Play, structure and opportunity
Create structured opportunities for interaction (small-group activities, paired tasks, or guided play). Structure reduces the unpredictability of social situations and gives shy children a clearer role and purpose, which makes joining in easier.
Just as friendships are built from small, steady steps, Esikidz childcare software gives childcare operators the building blocks to run a successful program. Our platform includes features like automatic tuition calculation, automated CCOF monthly report generation, waiting-list management, out-of-school care tools, multi-site management, and streamlined enrollment — all designed to save time and reduce administrative stress.
If you’d like a 30-day free trial with in-depth training, visit www.esikidz.com, email info@esihome-tech.com, or call 236-454-4967.We’d love to partner with you and your team.
At esiKidz, we’re committed to empowering childcare providers with the tools they need to streamline operations and enhance their satisfaction.
Discover how esiKidz can transform your childcare management today. Schedule a demo or contact our team to learn more about integrating esiKidz into your facility’s operations.
