How to Help Your Child Make Friends

Friendships matter. For children and teenagers, having even one or two close friends can make a real difference to their confidence, their sense of belonging, and their overall emotional wellbeing. So when your child is struggling socially, it is natural to feel concerned.

As a clinical psychologist who has worked with young people for over two decades, I have seen how much social difficulties can affect a child’s mood, self-esteem and even their willingness to attend school. The good news is that there are practical things you can do to support your child, and professional help is available when it is needed.

Understanding Why Some Children Find It Harder

Not every child finds friendships easy. Some children are naturally quieter or more introverted. Others may be dealing with anxiety that makes social situations feel uncomfortable. For neurodivergent young people, including those with autism or ADHD, the unwritten rules of social interaction can be particularly difficult to read.

Struggling with friendships does not mean something is wrong with your child. It simply means they may need a bit more support to develop the skills and confidence that come more easily to some of their peers.

Practical Ways to Help at Home

Start by creating low-pressure opportunities for your child to spend time with others. Structured activities like clubs, sports or shared hobbies can be easier than unstructured social time because they give children something to focus on together.

Listen without jumping in with solutions. When your child talks about a difficult moment with a friend, sometimes they just need to feel heard. Ask open questions and let them work through it with you rather than telling them what to do.

Pay attention to what your child enjoys and help them find others who share those interests. Friendships built around a genuine shared passion tend to feel more natural and lasting.

When Professional Support Can Help

If your child’s social difficulties are persistent, affecting their mood or leading them to withdraw from activities they once enjoyed, it may be worth exploring professional support. At CY&A Psychology, we offer evidence-based programmes specifically designed to help young people build social skills in a safe and supportive setting. Our PEERS® programme, for example, teaches practical social skills through structured sessions, while our therapeutic Dungeons & Dragons groups offer a creative, engaging way for young people to practise communication, teamwork and problem-solving alongside their peers.

If you would like to talk about how we might help, please get in touch where we’ll guide you through the next steps.