At Liverpool Occupational Therapy Services, we know that friendships play a big role in children’s wellbeing, confidence, and sense of belonging. For some children, social situations come naturally. For others, they can feel confusing, overwhelming, or tiring. Every child is different, and social skills develop over time, with practice, support, and understanding.
Here are some gentle ways to support children as they navigate friendships and everyday social situations.
Why Social Skills Can Feel Challenging for Some Children
Social interaction involves many skills happening at once – communication, attention, emotional regulation, and understanding unspoken rules. For some children, this can feel like a lot to manage.
Children may find social situations tricky if they:
- Struggle to read body language or facial expressions
- Find it hard to take turns or wait
- Feel overwhelmed in busy or noisy environments
- Become anxious about getting things “wrong”
- Need more time to process language or instructions
It’s important to remember that difficulties with social skills are not about behaviour or motivation, they are often linked to how a child processes information, sensory input, or emotions.
Turn-Taking, Sharing, and Understanding Social Cues
Skills like sharing and turn-taking develop gradually and look different at different ages and these skills often need to be taught, practised, and modelled.
Try this at home or school:
🎲 Play simple turn-taking games: Board games, card games, or rolling a ball back and forth help children practise waiting and following rules.
🗣️ Use clear, simple language: Saying things like “It’s my turn, then your turn” helps make expectations clear.
👀 Talk about social cues: Gently point out facial expressions or tone of voice, such as “They’re smiling, that means they’re enjoying the game.”
⏸️ Build in pauses: Some children benefit from extra time to think before responding – slowing things down can reduce pressure.
Top tip: Praise effort, not perfection. Noticing when a child tries to wait or share helps build confidence.
Supporting Friendships In and Out of School
Friendships don’t only happen in the classroom. They grow during playtime, after-school activities, and family interactions.
Ways to support friendships:
🏡 Practise social skills through play: Role-play situations like asking to join a game or taking turns choosing an activity.
📅 Keep playdates simple: Short, structured playdates with a clear activity can feel more manageable than long, open-ended ones.
🎨 Focus on shared interests: Building friendships around a common activity, drawing, dancing, sports, or imaginative play, can reduce social pressure.
💬 Talk about social experiences: After school, gently check in about what went well and what felt tricky, without judgement.
Remember, friendships don’t all look the same. Some children prefer one close friend, parallel play, or small groups, and all of these are valid.
How Occupational Therapy Can Support Social Participation
Occupational Therapy looks at the whole child and how they participate in everyday life, including social situations. Social skills are closely linked to sensory processing, emotional regulation, and confidence.
At Liverpool Occupational Therapy Services, we can:
- Explore how sensory needs affect social interaction
- Support emotional regulation in group settings
- Develop strategies for turn-taking, communication, and flexibility
- Work with families and schools to support social participation
Our goal is to help children feel more comfortable, confident, and included in the social world around them.
Need Extra Support?
If you’re noticing that your child finds friendships or social situations challenging, you’re not alone. With the right support and understanding, social skills can grow over time.
At Liverpool Occupational Therapy Services, we work alongside families and schools to provide practical, child-centred strategies that support connection, confidence, and participation.
Contact us to find out more about how we support children and families.