The three Cs of friendship

Friends make school, sports, and playtime more fun for your child. They can also boost his self-confidence and improve his social skills. Encourage your youngster to make friends by teaching him the three Cs of friendship.

Caring
 Through words and actions, good friends show that they care about each other. Explain to your child that this can be as simple as smiling and saying hi to a friend at school or giving a compliment ("I like your drawing" or "Nice catch!"). He can also let a classmate know he cares by spending time with him. They might eat lunch together, sit side by side during story hour, or help each other at cleanup time.

Compassion
Your youngster can strengthen a friendship by showing compassion. Ask him to think about what makes him feel better when he's unhappy (a high five, a funny joke). Suggest that he try one of those ideas when a friend is extra tired or feeling left out.

Cooperation
Taking turns and sharing are important skills for making friends. When your child invites a classmate home and they're deciding what to play, teach him to let his guest choose first. Then it will be his turn to pick what they'll do next. If they are coloring, encourage your youngster to share his favorite crayons.