Released: August 14, 2003

Tips for Parents: Friendships Important to Kids, But Best When Parents Don’t Push

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Some of the best learning experiences during the new school year may

occur outside the classroom. Learning to get along with other people is one of them, said Chuck Smith,

K-State Research and Extension child development specialist.

“Everyone wants to be accepted. It’s a desire that begins early in life,” he said.

As a child’s social arena expands to pre-school, he or she typically begins to recognize the

importance of being accepted and having friends. A child wants to have buddies and be invited to

birthday and other parties, the child development specialist said.

When rejected, a child may try to earn acceptance by acting out. It’s natural for parents to want

to protect their child, but also important that parents not “muddle it up,” Smith said.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson, Communications Specialist
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News