Posted on June 25, 2026
Friendships and everyday interactions play a vital role in a child’s development. Between the ages of 4 and 12, children are learning about themselves, discovering their place in the world, and developing the social skills they will carry with them throughout their lives. During these important years, friendships and communicating with others, provides much more than just someone to play with, it helps children grow emotionally, socially, and even academically.
Having other children to connect with can help children feel valued and accepted. Positive friendships and attachments give children a sense of belonging and encourage them to be themselves. When children feel included and supported by their peers, their confidence grows, helping them to participate more actively in school, activities, and everyday experiences.
School Aged services provide children with opportunities to develop essential life skills such as communication, cooperation, empathy, and problem-solving. Through play and interaction, children learn how to share, take turns, listen to others, and resolve disagreements respectfully. These experiences help prepare them for future relationships and social situations.
Recently, I witnessed a lovely example of this in our service. An older child noticed that a younger child was struggling to organise their belongings after arriving. Without being asked, the older child kindly helped them hang up their coat and school bag on their hook and showed them where everything belonged. It was a simple act, but it demonstrated so much kindness, patience, and leadership. Moments like these remind us that friendships are not only about playing together, they are also about supporting and caring for one another. Without even being asked, this child instinctively offered to help. We see moments like this every day and it is just another example of why we adore our jobs.
Without even realising, children can be a great source of comfort and support. Whether celebrating achievements or navigating challenges, children often turn to their friends or peers for encouragement and understanding. Strong friendships can help reduce feelings of loneliness and contribute positively to a child’s overall emotional wellbeing.
Another heartwarming example occurred just last week. One child became upset when she realised she had not brought a soft toy with her, while many of the other children had. Before an adult needed to step in, another child noticed how she was feeling and immediately offered one of her own soft toys to share. Thanks to this thoughtful gesture, the child instantly felt included and was able to join in with her friends. It was a wonderful example of empathy and kindness, showing how children can recognise the feelings of others and take action to help. These are moments where I would love parents to be flys on a wall. So they could also get to see these beautiful moments that we are blessed with in The Purple Bell.
As children grow, they encounter peers from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Friendships help children appreciate diversity, develop empathy, and learn to respect differences. These valuable lessons contribute to creating inclusive and caring communities both in childcare settings and beyond.
The soft toy incident is a perfect example of inclusion in action. A simple act of sharing transformed a disappointing moment into a positive one and ensured that no child felt left out. These are the experiences that help children learn the importance of kindness, generosity, and looking out for one another.
Childcare environments provide wonderful opportunities for children to build and strengthen friendships. Through group activities, games, creative projects, and outdoor play, children can connect with others in a safe and supportive setting. Educators play an important role in encouraging positive interactions, helping children navigate social situations, and fostering an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.
We often facilitate “team building activities” for children to build on connections with others in the service. These are my favourite activities. For example, we once had an activity where different groups of children got to choose any sort of arts and crafts materials to create their own masterpieces and had a 20 minute timer to complete it. Even the children that had just started with us that were a little shy, completely came out of their shell. There were children that took the leadership role, others chose what crafts to use, and every child within the groups had their own role. They naturally came together to create such beautiful creations, but more importantly, the most meaningful connections and learning was happening, without them even realising. These are the activities I want to bottle up forever.
Parents can help nurture friendships by encouraging social opportunities, talking with children about kindness and respect, and helping them develop skills for managing conflicts. Listening to children about their friendships and celebrating positive relationships can also strengthen their confidence and social development.
Friendships and connections are one of the most rewarding and influential parts of childhood. They help children develop confidence, resilience, empathy, and a sense of belonging. Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness, ike helping a younger child hang up their belongings or sharing a treasured soft toy with a friend in need can have the biggest impact. By supporting positive interactions, we help children build strong foundations for healthy relationships and emotional wellbeing that can last a lifetime.