- SINGAPORE
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INSIDER SERIES: Building Friendships: How Parents Can Support Children’s Social Confidence
Understanding How Friendships Develop, When To Step In And How Home And School Can Support Children Together
As parents, it is natural to worry about how our children make and keep friends, especially in the early years. One day they may be happy sharing toys, and the next they may be navigating disagreements, exclusion or changing playgroups. While these moments can feel difficult, they are also where children begin building important lifelong skills like communication, empathy, resilience, and confidence.
In this heartfelt Insider Series chat, Shea Stanley from Little Steps Asia sits down with Shauna Parsons (Primary Class Teacher and Head of Lower Primary at EtonHouse International School Orchard), and Natalie Loh (Senior Principal at EtonHouse Pre-School Upper Bukit Timah and mom), to unpack the joy, complexity, and learning behind children’s friendships. They share real insights from classrooms and home life, reminding us that friendships can shift from day to day, and that our role as parents is to coach, not fix.
Ready to feel more confident supporting your child’s social world? Watch the full video, grab practical tools, and discover how home and school can work together to help children feel valued, supported, and confident in their relationships.
Want to see how EtonHouse supports children’s confidence, relationships, and sense of belonging? Plan a visit through a personalised school tour or upcoming Experience Day in May. Enrolment offers are available for families who enrol by 1 June 2026.
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UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN’S FRIENDSHIPS: How Friendships Grow and Change
Children’s friendships look different at every stage – and that’s okay! Toddlers often engage in parallel play, while preschoolers form quick, moment-to-moment bonds over a shared sticker or toy. As children move into primary years, preferences emerge, and groups tighten around shared interests and identity.
- Shauna and Natalie reassure parents: shy children will find their people in their own time, and changing “best friends” daily is part of growing self-awareness.
The focus isn’t on permanent bonds but on practising turn-taking, empathy, and a sense of belonging. Celebrate the small wins. Small moments of connection can feel deeply meaningful and help children build confidence and a sense of belonging. These foundations shape how children view relationships for years to come.
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PARENTS AS COACHES: How to Support Without Taking Over
It’s natural to want to step in when your child is upset by a friendship situation. But stepping in too quickly can limit their chance to practise problem-solving and build confidence.
- Instead, listen, validate big emotions (jealousy, sadness, frustration), and guide with open questions: “How do you think your friend felt?”
- Role-play scenarios at home, name feelings, and model apologies and kindness.
Natalie shared a touching story of her son patiently reclaiming a toy over 15 school days through daily practice and encouragement at home. The lesson was not about leaving children to cope alone, but about giving them the language and confidence to try. Stepping back does not mean stepping away. When there is repeated distress or a safety concern, work with teachers. The goal is to equip children with a “tool belt” of skills they can carry into future friendships.
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THE PARTNERSHIP: How Home and School Create Consistent Support for Friendships
When home and school align on values like respect, inclusion, and kindness, children feel more supported as they navigate friendships. EtonHouse creates opportunities for mixed-group work and inquiry-based sharing, while parents can widen children’s social circles through playdates and speaking positively about others.
- Open communication is key – share observations without blame, speak openly with teachers when patterns emerge, and align on how children are being supported at home and in school. Even a quick update from school can help parents continue the conversation at home.
- This consistency helps children feel safe, valued, and more confident as they learn to build, maintain, and repair friendships.
Want to see how EtonHouse supports children’s confidence, relationships, and sense of belonging? Book a personalised school tour or join an upcoming Experience Day in May to meet the team, explore the learning environment, and learn more about EtonHouse’s approach.
Enrolment offers are available for families who enrol by 1 June 2026.
What Else:
DOWNLOAD NOW: Handy Resource On Early Year Friendships By EtonHouse
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Where To Find It:
- EtonHouse International Schools and Pre-Schools
- Multiple campuses across Singapore including EtonHouse International School Orchard and EtonHouse Pre-School Upper Bukit Timah.
- admissions@etonhouse.edu.sg
- https://www.etonhouse.edu.sg/
Additional Info:
Founded in Singapore in 1995, EtonHouse began with a mother’s dream to create a school where learning is joyful and children are respected. Today, it has grown into an international education group with a global footprint, offering international school and pre-school education across Singapore and seven other countries. With inquiry-based learning at its heart, EtonHouse nurtures children’s curiosity, confidence, and love of learning in warm, relationship-rich environments where they are known, valued, and supported to succeed.
Shea Stanley
Originally from Texas, Shea’s travel and lifestyle media career has taken her around the globe to over 50 countries where she has worked on a variety of TV, print, and digital projects. When she was pregnant with her first child, Shea longed for a resource offering fun finds and insider tips for parents in Asia. In 2008, she founded Little Steps Asia! Mom of 2 active teens + 4 steps kids, Shea lives in Clearwater Bay and enjoys hiking, yoga, travel, photography, and of course – exploring the city with her clan!
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