Studies show that children with friends have a greater sense of well-being, higher self-esteem and fewer social problems than children without friends. Here’s how to help your child find healthy, fulfilling friendships.

The importance of play dates

“Children learn a lot just from watching, so it’s important to start exposing them to other children right from the get go,” says Alyson Schafer, a psychotherapist and author of Breaking the Good Mom Myth. “If your child doesn’t have siblings, make a point of getting out into groups with other moms and babies, which is also good for your own mental health.” Even infants interact, Schafer says, so getting together with other new moms early on can have important social benefits for both you and your baby.

• Join a moms group in your community or start your own.
• Visit online parenting sites, many of which have tools you can use to connect with other moms in your area, such as justplaydates.ca.
• Check out libraries or community centers for mom and baby programs or drop-ins.
• Hang out in local parks where moms with kids of all ages congregate.
• Set up “play dates” with neighborhood moms who have kids close to yours in age.

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• Helping your toddler make friends >