Building friendships is an important part of childhood, playing a significant role in the child’s development. Through friendship, the children learn how to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and develop empathy. When a child builds a strong social connection, they also learn how to understand different perspectives, share their feelings, and support one another. Then, these early relationships support healthy social and emotional skills, which will benefit them throughout their lives.
When it comes to the school age program, friendships can take a while to happen, especially because every year can be different even if the same children come back since they spend the whole summer away and a lot can change through these two months. Then, when they come back, it takes a few days for the children to reconnect and for the new children to build connections.
We can see friendships flourishing in our school age program through cooperation activities. One afternoon, the children got wooden sticks and connectors, collaborating to build a bus. While working on it, they engaged in talking about their days and got to know each other better, making connections and discovering interests in common. Then, when it was ready Samuel became the driver, while Praise, Cari, Moyosola and Catherine were the passengers. Also, during risky taking activities, the children are able to build trust and connections through encouragement, support and by celebrating successes. For example, during the winter, Braya found a snowball, rolling it close to the tree and stepping on it to reach the tree branch. When other children saw it, they decided to do that too and some of them had a hard time to balance on the snowball; then, the ones in line waiting for their turns started shouting words of encouragement and even helping the child stand on the snowball, building trust and a reliable friendship with one another.
No matter how long it takes, in the end of the school year, they are helping each other out and rooting for their success. Of course, that they might have conflicts and fights sometimes, but in the end of the day, they are there for each other to encourage and support through tough times, providing a sense of belonging and security. Also, these early relationships support children to thrive emotionally, socially, and even academically. We wonder what other adventures these friends will engage in before the school year ends, and off to spend the summer they go?
