Let's Be Friends: A Workbook to Help Kids Learn Social Skills and Make Great Friends

Building positive friendships is a critical part of a child's development. When adults look back on their childhoods, they rate their friendships as one of the most important factors in their happiness.

But researchers report that half of children have difficulty making and keeping friends. These problems predispose them to lifelong relationship challenges. What's more, parents report that they rarely know what to do to help their children make friends. Social problems in childhood may lead to more serious problems in adolescence and adulthood, so it's wise to help your child with these skills now.

The activities in this book offer you effective tools for helping your child become a better friend-maker. The activities in Let's Be Friends teach kids a wide variety of social skills including the making and keeping of new friends, finding friends with common interests, ways of coping with rejection, and tips for developing give and take in relationships. With practice, the skills in this book can help youngsters locate support during transitions, build self-esteem, and develop into healthy, resilient adults.

Lawrence E. Shapiro, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized child psychologist who is known for his innovative play-oriented techniques. He has written over two dozen books and created over forty therapeutic games. Shapiro is founder of the Childswork/Childsplay catalog and publishing company, a leading distributor of psychologically oriented toys and games. He is author of numerous books, including How to Raise a Child with a High EQ: A Parent's Guide to Emotional Intelligence and The Secret Language of Children.

Julia Holmes is a freelance writer living in New York City. She is the author of 100 New Yorkers: A Guide to Illustrious Lives and Locations. Julia holds a master's degree in creative writing from Columbia University.