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 always tell them to always be nice and not to leave anyone out

Usual things like friends over for tea etc... and joining sports clubs to meet new kids outside of immediate school zone. We also try to teach them to treat their friends with kindness and respect but to not be a pushover for anyone.

I teach them the importance of apologising and admiring when they're wrong. It's normal for making mistakes sometimes espeacilly as children so I think it's important to be able to apologise and not be stubborn when something does happen x

Remind/encourage your kids that you don't have to like the same things to be friends. You can have separate interests but do things that you both like together. This has helped maintain friendship groups as they have got older and as different crazes/characters & toys have come and gone!!

My tips would definitely be encouraging openness and kindness - befriending those who are different from them, showing friendship to those who may struggle to befriend others.

Playdates, and encouraging kind behaviour. DD's a huge My Little Pony Fan!

Two of our DC had to make new friends when starting a new school when we moved counties, they were naturally quite nervous but we're more excited when I explained that being 'the new kid', everybody will be wanting to play with them...and I was right!.

I always remind them to treat others as they wish to be treated, and to be themselves.

Encourage confidence, and teach them to be respectful of others, regardless of race, religion, or other differences.

Play dates, and also never hurts to maintain a good relationship with the parents of the children

Give children opportunities to play, share and make friends. Be a good role model - show them how to be kind, patient and non judgemental. But also let them be independent and develop self confidence so they don't need to feel popular to be happy.

we are always around other children and I think that helps cement friendship

I try to encourage my DC to resolve any differences themselves, rather than me tiger-mumming it in there. Been there, done than, created awkwardness, only for the kids to sort it out perfectly well themselves the next day.

I try to teach DS sharing and empathy. He's just starting to make friends, so we're working hard on this!

I always tell DS to not be shy. He has a bit of a stammer which he's self conscious about and some children (and adults), are not exactly nice and would speak over him. Very hurtful. He's getting more confident though as he has made some friends. I just hope the world is a more forgiving place for those that are 'different'.

lots of play dates

My son is an only child - so I felt nursery was a really great opportunity for him to socialise with other children, get used to sharing & build his own friendships. It worked a treat - better than I could ever have hoped! I struggle with social anxiety & I've been mindful not to let my quirks rub off on him.. it made push myself a bit too as we've had birthday parties for him & invited all his nursery friends - it was a great way to meet the parents & arrange the odd play date.
How he's at school - I feel he's had a good headstart as he's learnt about respect, consideration & co-operation - all crucial for any friendship. Of course I try to instill these things at home too, but having the opportunity to put this into action at nursery with 15 other kids was brilliant!

We always go to parties and play dates and I've taught her always to be kind and be herself, people respond better to that

Play dates are always good for maintaining friendships. I also think that encouraging kids to deal with any issues and encourage them to resolve them. I think that helps them to develop their friendships and that also it helps them in the future.

The best way I think is to instil positive values from a young age- like being kind, respectful of other people and taking turns/sharing.
I'm quite shy and awkward, so it can take me a while to get used to new people (i don't mean to appear aloof!) As long as my DC can be comfortable in just being themselves... and know that having a couple of true friends is far better than being the 'popular' one.

Encouragement and example. Encourage the children to be involved in different scenarios and lead by example.

I’m not that great with play dates but we do have them occasionally.
I often ask the mum if they want to go out somewhere. Sometimes it’s just the park of for a walk in the woods. Other times it’s been a day trip in the school holidays.
The kids love it and the ‘adventure’ helps the friendship.
I always teach my kids to be kind to everyone in their class.

I manage the 'Best friends' statement and suggest that they are good friends, as the 'Best Friend' changes depending on the games and playdates

We’ve spend time playing through lots of different scenarios and them chat about what feels god/bad and why.

To continue meeting and organizing outings/playdates during the holidays and school breaks, so they feel friendship is not just during school time, but always. If someone moves away, I encourage them to keep in touch through writing or through the parents as well.