The power of peers• Discover the importance of peer relationships (643 hits)
Highlights>>>> ~Friendly feedback~ ~A matter of choice~ ~Positive peer pressure~ ~Not-so-positive peer pressure~ ~What to watch out for~
Making friends is an important mission for elementary-school children, as they increasingly separate from the family and broaden their horizons with the larger social circle that school offers. At this age, children are able to develop more complex relationships, and they find that making friends is a truly gratifying experience. In addition, their allegiances will continue to shift away from their family and toward their peers, whom they'll spend more time with than ever before.
Friendly feedback Six- to 8-year-olds learn a lot about themselves from the feedback they get from friends, and other kids' reactions play a significant role in their developing self-image. If your child's classmates like her artwork, for instance, she'll think that she's artistic. Or if other kids laugh at her jokes, she may decide she's funny. In other words, she'll get a more complex idea of who she is from her encounters with peers. If they accept her, she'll feel full of self-worth. If, on the other hand, they reject or ridicule her, self-esteem may plummet. It's at approximately this age that peers tend to pick on or tease children who are less able or less capable than other kids.
A matter of choice At this age, children find their own friends. They often pick pals with similar traits, patterns of play, interests, activities, or hobbies. Don't force a friendship if the chemistry isn't there. As with adults, not every child's temperament, personality, or style clicks with every other kid. Don't be overly concerned about how many friends your child has or whether she's popular. Some kids are happy to spend a lot of time with one best friend; other, more gregarious souls thrive on having many good buddies. As long as the friends have a positive influence on each other, relax.
Positive peer pressure Six-, 7-, and 8-year-olds will make a concerted effort to share, please their playmates, and resolve conflicts on their own. If your child wants to take a spin on her best friend's bike, for instance, she and her friend will find a way to take turns that they can both accept. Peers can also encourage, support, and challenge each other to try harder in school, sports, and artistic avenues. If your child's best buddy is an avid reader, her enthusiasm for reading may be all your child needs to get hooked on books. Similarly, your child may strive a little harder on the playing field if she wants to emulate a classmate who is a standout at soccer. [...]
Not-so-positive peer pressure While you can't choose who your child picks as friends, you can point out when peers are encouraging her to act in a way that isn't true to her nature. Then, rather than telling her what ...
