Nursery World - Health & Wellbeing: Making friendships

Developing and maintaining friendships is important to children from a young age, says June O’Sullivan, CEO of London Early Years Foundation

During Covid, I was struck by the number of parents who expressed surprise about how their children as young as two were missing their friends. They had not realised that friendships were so important to very young children. Being able to build friendships from the early years is hugely impactful on our adult lives and nurturing quality friendships is the single best predictor for our psychological wellbeing and health.

Friendships are built on trust and therefore we need to create consistency and warm, kind, positive and reassuring relationships with each other. Children are watchers and observers – they notice things and can immediately sense any tension or stress in the atmosphere, particularly in the way we behave and talk to each other. The tone of voice we use, our gestures, choice of words, how we respect personal space and create small acts of kindness and courtesy all communicate to children the skills needed for good interpersonal relationships.

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