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The children need to have a variety of experiences from a young age. Playing with them helps to develop their understanding of fair play and give and take which are important aspects of friendship. I believe that it is vital to talk to children widely, to set boundaries and that they understand what and why these are there, talk to them about friends...all the ins and outs, offer sage advice on how to deal with situations.Use pets to help them develop tolerance and kindness. Above all love them unequivocally. Be a positive role model that they can copy and emulate. Help them to develop the self confidence to be their own person. All this will help them to fall happily into a variety of friendships.

give the opportunity to mix and play as much as possible and encourage communication

Children learn to behave by how those around them behave so set a good example and encourage kind behaviour. My four year old grand daughter is only given a few jelly babies as an occasional treat, she offered one to her Grandad and he was going to say no but I said she is learning to share so take one and say Thank you. She is very caring when someone is hurt or upset.

I advise my eight young grandchildren to be interested in other people, not just in themselves...listening to others is an important skill - also, to SMILE at other children and to try to be kind...include children who seem to be lonely or are being left out. At the same time I also add that they need to be firm and not let people take advantage of them - no-one wants to be friends with a doormat!

By taking them regularly to parent and toddler groups from young they (eventually) learn to play nicely with other kids, share toys, even watch others behaviours (not always the best but still useful), eat/drink with others and go onto have play dates with new friends (parents too ;) ) This is invaluable and friendships made there can last until adulthood as they practice again and again the skills they learnt as soon as they could sit up!

Given lots of opportunity to socialise but also making sure that they respect others and don't expect their own way all the time. Teaching them empathy will help them be good friends to others and hopefully others will then want to be friends with them.

By example....if you are friendly, sociable and outgoing then littlies will generally tend to copy you. Being involved socially with other families is so good for them, they can meet and play with friends but still have the security of mum/dad being close by. As they mature they will move away from needing familiar adults. Play dates with known friends are also fab especially if mum can leave them for short periods thus fostering their independence. These will also lead them into meeting different groups of friends. Lots of different cogs overlapping! Slightly older children benefit from groups and clubs-sports or activity based with invites to these new friends to come and play at the child's home.

Pre school and nursery are a good place to start, also playgrounds and recreational areas.
When i was growing up we used to play outside and made friends with the other children on the street. How sad that this rarely happens these days.

Honestly, just let them get on with making their own friends! Give them the opportunity to mix with other children, parks, play groups etc, they will work it out!

don't hide them away mix with people and kids

From my experiences with my 3 children you can't enforce friendships - but you can encourage children to be sociable. Visiting places or attending groups and activities where children are encouraged to mix is great. My sons are both very confident in making new friends, but my daughter not so much. I think the key is involving them in activities that they enjoy where they might meet likeminded people so they already have a mutual interest. Also activities with other families where children will mix. Children will learn from your examples - so if you are friendly and open to making friends in unfamiliar situations then hopefully your children will follow suit. Having different groups of friends in different areas is always a good thing, especially as children get older and arguments start and/or friendships change. Show children the importance of friends (after all friends are the family you choose). Make them aware that not all friendships are lifelong and that some friends are only in your life for a short time, some come and go, and some will be there for the long haul!

Whilst ultimately it is the children themselves who initiate their friendships one can foster and encourage the development of new relationships by inviting friends round to play, encouraging them in joint games and activities. Many childrens' games have been played at my table with both Nanny and Grandad involved and I would say many of those children who played are still great friends of my grandchildren.

I am fortunate that one of my grandaughters lives only an hour and a half's car journey away so my husband and I have had her to stay regularly since she was a baby.
She is a gregarious little girl but only once she feels comfortable in a given social situation. She is not shy but is quite self-conscious and becomes embarrassed easily.
I have always tried to involve her in children's activities locally, as well as spending time with friends who have grandchildren of a similar age, but usually prepare her by sharing a little snippet of information that I hope will enthuse and reassure her. E.g 'Isabella enjoys art activities too' or 'Can you help me make a lovely picnic that we can share with Charlie?'
Once we are in a situation, I take my cue from how she is feeling, while gently encouraging her to begin taking part by playing alongside another child.
It is such a joy when I can see that she is making friends and I then enjoy the opportunity of having a cuppa and chat with others.

Lead by example starting when they are little. Join in at groups have friends with same age children round go to parks ,libraries, play centre and groups to get them used to sharing and playing by and with others in a friendly atmosphere where you don't have to force friendship..

A smile to greet others, a chat, caring & sharing a kindness.

Trying to show and teach them how to be kind

Take them out to places where children will be..the park is always good. Encourage them to talk to other children.

Join local leisure or dance groups, my granddaughter has made a lot of friends by doing things together ie dance, gymnastics

My own Mum was an amazing example of how to make friends and modelled this for us well into her old age. Wherever she was she had a friendly smile for anyone and always began with a simple greeting to judge whether the other person appeared to want to say more. She kept in touch with old friends throughout her life and continued to make new friends. Her adage was always, 'If you want to make a friend you need to be a friend to others.' When growing up, money was tight but she used to take a few cakes to neighbours when she'd been doing some baking, take washing or ironing off people who were going through a tough time or just drop everything to go and help anyone in need. A true friend. I hope that I have modelled the same with my own children and grandchildren and helped them to be open and pleasant when in the company of others whether they are their peers or in multi-generational settings. Go along with your grandchildren to parent & toddler or other groups from an early age and model how you make friends and soon they'll be joining in and having fun without even thinking about it. When you notice that they are developing a friendship with another child then that's the time to organise doing things with the other families and sharing playdates.

Encourage them in what they are doing. Be there for them. Their friends can come and play with them(toys). Take them to parks where they can explore, gather and make/build things together. Be sociable, share and be happy. Respect and help, listen too. X

Taking them to various activities in the park or the library so that they can interact with others from a young age. Reading stories which show the positive side of having a friend.

Showing your little ones your friendly way with people will encourage them to be friendly too. Taking them to groups where they can meet other children of the same age helps too. Invite some children with their parents/ careers to your house for play dates helps too. Never force a friendship . Talk about their friends with them and show an interest.

Take them to soft play areas and toddler groups, children will always do what comes naturally in these situations and that is usually join in with whatever other children are doing. Introducing children to social situations when they are young encourages them not to be shy

We took our DGS to lots of playgroups and events at the library. He never wanted to join in group activities but always observed what was going on. We never pushed him to join in and by the time he went to preschool he joined in. At school his best friend is now someone who didn't talk at first and no one talked to him.

Take them to playgroups from an early age encourage them to enjoy social interaction make a point of introducing any new members to the group. Arrange play dates from an early age. At bedtime always recap the days events and the fun had with friends. Choose bedtime stories which include fun times with friends