As a child, I had many fun days playing with my friends and our dolls. And according to researchers, this play time was good for my friends and me in several ways.
A recent Washington Post article reported that learning to how to make friends and how to be a friend is an important life skill that children learn in their early school years.
"Recent research shows the importance of friendship, and its impact on mental and physical health. Preschool friendships are helpful in developing social and emotional skills, increasing a sense of belonging and decreasing stress."
Early positive childhood friendships can provide the following benefits:
- better self-esteem
- higher school achievement
- less isolation
- better coping skills under stress
- less bullying from others
- higher conflict resolution skills
When I was an elementary school teacher, one of the first things I did when a new child came to our class was assign him or her a buddy. That friend would make the newcomer feel less nervous and more confident about being in a new classroom.
The positive aspects of good childhood friendships can have long lasting advantages.
Photography by The Bae Hive Agency
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