Making friends

In the early years the concept of friendship is easily changeable, for example a child may label a friend to be nice, but this will be based on the child’s immediate experience, for example if Joshua took away Dylan’s toy, then Joshua may quickly announce that they don’t like that child anymore.

At 2½ years a child may show a preference for certain companions and will cooperate with a shared play theme, for example going on a pretend picnic. By this may develop into simple role playing such as being a doctor or patient. At 3, although some children will acknowledge they have a special friend, many will label all play companions as friends and therefore relationships can be fickle or changeable.

Imaginary friends may also develop. This will change at 4 years when a child will be clearer about who their friends are. By 5 years this will have evolved into an understanding of their friend’s needs and wishes and a willingness to compromise and reconcile. The 5 year old will also be able to say what makes someone a friend.