Importance of Friendship

Question 1

What are negative outcomes for children without friends?

Answer 1

More loneness

• predicator of low self-esteem in childhood and adulthood.
• It increases externalizing and internalizing problems

Question 2

What are some reasons children may lack friends?

Answer 2

• Can be shy, non-assertive.
• May be aggressive.
• Poor social skills
• Might be very different than the other children in some way, might be harder to connect.
• Or may have no opportunity to interact with peers.

Question 3

What are some interventions to help children make friends?

Answer 3

• Cooperative learning
• Play dates and plans after school.
• Social skills training for skills deficit.
• Relaxation exercises for social anxiety.