Friendship is Magic: Share your tips for helping children build lasting friendships with the My Little Pony: The Movie - chance to win £300 NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

To help celebrate the brand new My Little Pony movie, the team behind the film would love to champion the beauty of friendship - and learn about the tips you have for helping children build lasting friendships with their school mates, neighbours and pals from clubs etc.

Do you gently suggest ways of making and keeping friends, encourage play dates to deepen friendships, or have other ways to guide them through the sometimes tricky path of childhood friends?

Here’s the movie synopsis

“A dark force threatens Ponyville, and the Mane 6 - Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity - embark on an unforgettable journey beyond Equestria where they meet new friends and exciting challenges on a quest to use the magic of friendship to save their home.

The film has an all-star voice cast including Emily Blunt, Kristin Chenoweth, Liev Schreiber, Michael Peña, Sia, Taye Diggs, Uzo Aduba and Zoe Saldana. The movie features original music and songs performed by Sia, Diggs, Saldana, Chenoweth and Blunt."

Rated U

Add your comment to this thread and you will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a £300 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight Terms and Conditions Apply

I encourage my daughters to be friendly to everyone. Of course they have their best friends and those they play with more than others but I encourage them to let others join in if they want to.

When they were younger I suggested ways they could start talking to children at parks or play groups like asking their name, how old they are etc

i encourage my daughters friends to come around a lot. i believe in childhood friendships lasting a lifetime because i have one special friend who has been in my life forever

I help my child by going on regular play date with other mums in my area. Especially those of them who are friends of mine. That way we both enjoy the company and makes the whole experience a lot more enjoyable for both of us.

Pick your friends carefully.

I find that making friendships at clubs etc don't tend to be lasting because so many children move on. Spending time outside of school or playschool with peers helps make lasting friendships :)

Always offer to share whatever you have..sweets, coloured pens etc.

Try and have a firm small set of friends that you do things with outside of school who share similar values rather than trying to appease the entire school as friends!

Having a child. Who's autistic, he instinctively knows to embrace those who are different and struggling in their own way. Love him, he is a diamond. He is very accepting of others and easily makes friends, which surprises me as he supposedly struggles in social situations!

Firstly by teaching them how to behave, share and good manners.
Then sending them to nursery to learn how to socialise. Allowing them to spend time out of school with friends.

My son has ASD therefore social situations and one to one/group conversations are so hard for him.

However he has developed a love of football and I have made sure he takes his ball to school so he can play at lunchtime. He has started to interact with other children through their mutual love of football. He has began to go to a football club.

So my tip is, find something the child loves, encourage it and they could make some lovely friendships through a shared interest.

I have learn't to not let your child have one best friend. Yes they will have their favourite but encourage them to have lots of different friends. Because when that one friend wants to go to someone else's house for tea, if your child doesn't have any other close friends, then they are going to be distraught that their one and only friend has 'left them!!!!'.

Girls girls girls!!! Friendships are bloody hard work!

I encourage ds to talk about his feelings and to consider why other people behave in the ways that they do. I teach him to use words to make himself clear even when frustrated. I ask him to try to be helpful. These are values I find important in friendships. I do arrange play dates if he asks for them, and try to get to know the parents of the children he likes to spend time with to facilitate this.

Play dates, teach them to share, negotiate and compromise

Always encourage your child to be outgoing and friendly, a smiling face goes a long way to forging lasting friendships.

Share toys, make sure everyone is treated fairly and encourage play dates/birthdays

Just let them get on with making friends and not interfere

I encourage my children to stay in contact with all there friends they make if they move school or house they can still be friends with their old and new friends I invite children around for dinner or play dates I think it’s important for children to stay friends with everyone they have friendships with I do think it’s easier now though with mobile phones and social media all my children do after school activities so they have different friends inside and outside of school which I think is important

Just being there for all the school drop offs and pick ups and striking up conversations with the mums in the playground has been helpful. Also getting involved in other activities and not just relying on school for social connections.

always try and include those that are on the outside, looking in

I'm useless at making friends, so I'm actually learning from my DD. She is brilliant at making friends! We try to gently encourage her from the sidelines, but generally let her be herself.

Having play dates is a superb way of helping a child build a friendship. When mine were toddlers we went to toddler groups to, I think this helps them learn to socialise with other children and this too has helped with friendships.

I encourage kindness in every shape or form. Taking turns and sharing is practised every day and reminding of how they would like to be treated themselves by others.

“Do as you would be done by”

Our family mantra

I normally have play dates and also try and do things together with their friends for celebrations - go trick or treating together. I also make friends with the mums so that my children know their friends' parents and are comfortable with them.
They choose their own friends and I help cement those relationships.

I do try and encourage play dates outside of school, although it can be hard to fit everything in in the week! I don't try to interfere too much with their relationships though as I think it's important for them to make their own friendships as far as possible.