An Analysis of How Children Form Friendships Through Joint Play and Gain Access to Peer Groups
A child’s early experiences play a big role in shaping their future growth. As they grow, they go through many changes – moving from being dependent to independent and from immature to mature. These abilities are important because they help prepare children for life’s challenges (Rauf & Bakar, 2019). Some key skills they develop include fine motor control, risk-taking, exploration, and gross motor development. One of the best ways children learn these skills is through play with others. This makes sense because play is a natural part of childhood, helping them learn valuable lessons in a fun and engaging way. Experts in education, curriculum planning, and child development around the world agree that play should be an essential part of early learning (Dzainudin et al., 2018). Through play, children not only gain knowledge but also improve their social skills by interacting with peers and exploring their surroundings.
Beyond bonding with family, play is also key to building friendships with other children. When kids interact with peers at a similar level of knowledge and ability, they develop important social skills that will benefit them even as adults. Through peer interactions, they learn how to start and maintain conversations, collaborate, and understand different perspectives (Setyaningsih & Wahyuni, 2018). Play supports this process by encouraging cooperation, shared goals, and understanding among children. For example, when preschoolers engage in pretend play, they create stories, assign roles, and work together to bring their ideas to life. These shared experiences help them form strong friendships, offering an additional sense of security and support beyond what they receive from parents, teachers, and caregivers (Rauf & Bakar, 2019). To explore this topic further, this text examines various studies and presents personal insights on how play helps children build lasting friendships.
Literature Review
How Social Play Affects Young Children
Play plays a big role in how children grow and form relationships with others. According to Whitman (2018), social play helps children develop in a well-rounded way, especially by teaching them how to connect with their peers. When kids start interacting at a young age, they do so based on different reasons – some are drawn to trust and forming long-lasting friendships with others their age. Playing together fuels their imagination, making them more creative and engaged. Whitman (2018) also suggests that play makes it easier for children to communicate and connect with peer groups because they all “speak the same language” in their interactions. This helps improve their communication skills and develops language abilities unique to their age. These social interactions also bring out different emotions, which can be positive or negative depending on the type of play and the environment. As a result, play strengthens friendships by allowing children to understand each other’s feelings and perspectives while they interact.
Whitman (2018) also emphasizes that peer groups form naturally when children compare what they experience with what they already know. Some friendships grow stronger, while others may not, depending on how children relate to and understand one another. This is common in all human relationships – people tend to bond over shared experiences. As kids interact with their peers, they build knowledge based on their experiences. Over time, these experiences shape their understanding of the world and influence their ability to form relationships. Whitman (2018) explains that children who become aware of their own behavior while playing are more likely to improve their peer relationships. By recognizing others’ feelings and knowing when to show empathy, they create deeper friendships. Those who naturally develop these social skills are more likely to build strong friendships and feel included in peer groups compared to those who struggle with social interactions.
Lastly, Whitman (2018) highlights that cooperative play is essential in helping children form friendships and integrate into peer groups. Around age four, play evolves from simple associative interactions to more structured, cooperative play. This shift is important because cooperative play requires teamwork and shared goals, which means kids become more involved in what their peers are doing. This interest in each other’s activities helps form friendships naturally. Whitman (2018) also notes that between ages four and six, children begin to show a sense of ownership over their toys and belongings. They may become more interested in sharing or even negotiating with peers over items, which helps them practice expressing their needs and ideas. During this stage, friendships tend to grow as children learn to cooperate, communicate, and agree on things, making their social connections even stronger.
Play-Based Learning and Social Growth
Play is a key part of a child’s social development, helping them build friendships and connect with peers. Daubert et al. (2018) suggest that physical activities teach children important skills like teamwork, cooperation, and appropriate social behavior. For example, pretend play and role-playing games allow kids to practice self-control, express emotions, and handle stressful situations in a safe way. However, for play to have this positive effect, children need a supportive environment filled with friendly relationships, especially with their peers. Daubert et al. (2018) explain that when kids play together, they naturally learn how to be considerate, resolve conflicts, and gain acceptance from others. The type of play they engage in often determines how they interact and collaborate with one another.
Play is also about exploration, but children need to be part of a peer group that shares their interests for this to happen (Daubert et al., 2018). Some kids prefer open-ended pretend play, while others enjoy rough-and-tumble activities. These different play styles shape how children communicate—those in pretend play often use private speech, while those in active play tend to be more vocal. Over time, children gravitate toward peer groups that match their play style, leading to friendships based on shared experiences. Daubert et al. (2018) also note that play offers a safe space for children to test out new ideas and behaviors. This helps lay the foundation for future interactions and social confidence.
Engaging in play with peers gives children a valuable chance to express themselves. Many experts argue that kids are often more comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings with peers than with parents or close relatives. This is because they relate to each other better due to their age and similar ways of thinking (Daubert et al., 2018). When children come together, play can even serve as a form of therapy, particularly for younger ones who struggle to communicate with words. For example, kids who play freely in a backyard often develop stronger bonds and better social skills. They also learn how to manage impulsive behaviors and react appropriately to different situations (UNICEF, 2018). Over time, children who master these skills form deeper friendships and become more connected to peer groups.
Learning Through Play: The Forest School Experience
Coates and Pimlott‐Wilson (2019) emphasize that teamwork and cooperation play a crucial role in shaping children’s relationships. This was especially noticeable among older children, who were more engaged in collaborative activities. In their study, children from School 1 were given opportunities to develop these skills in a classroom setting. Since they interacted directly with peers, they could choose their preferred peer groups. Additionally, learning in the classroom was independent, meaning students naturally engaged with those sitting nearby. The study revealed that children preferred working together rather than alone. Coates and Pimlott‐Wilson (2019) also noted that since students were encouraged to interact beyond their usual friend circles, they had more opportunities for social connections. This exposure introduced them to new peers with different personalities and perspectives, enriching their social experiences.
Children frequently worked alongside their peers, sharing common goals and learning to collaborate effectively. Coates and Pimlott‐Wilson (2019) found that they developed strategies for managing teamwork, such as learning to compromise and negotiate to achieve shared objectives. Allowing children to engage freely with different peers – especially those they might not typically interact with – helped them discover more about themselves and how to work well with others. For instance, it became clear that peer relationships significantly influenced children’s learning experiences (Pamuk & Berat, 2019). Through mutual interactions, students expanded their social networks, making it easier to learn from one another. Coates and Pimlott‐Wilson (2019) supported this idea, noting that Year 4 students who engaged in peer-based learning stretched their potential and benefited from a broader learning experience. Ultimately, play activities helped children build friendships and integrate into peer groups.
A key factor in forming friendships and gaining access to peer groups was how children handled conflicts. Coates and Pimlott‐Wilson (2019) highlighted that successful peer relationships were built on support and inclusion, ensuring that all children felt safe and able to participate in activities enjoyably. Fairness and equality played a major role – those who embraced these values found it easier to make friends and be accepted by peer groups. Working together showed that only children who were inclusive and respectful could truly succeed, as they helped create an environment where everyone felt valued. The main takeaway from the study was that simply making friends was not enough (Coates & Pimlott‐Wilson, 2019). Instead, friendships and peer group interactions needed to be meaningful and purpose-driven. Children who based their relationships on shared goals and teamwork were more likely to form strong, lasting connections with their peers.
Summary
The sources reviewed emphasize that play is essential for helping children form friendships and connect with peer groups. These findings were explored from a social perspective, using different examples to illustrate how play shapes relationships. One key idea is that engaging in play sparks children’s imagination and improves their language skills. This happens because play naturally encourages exploration and problem-solving. While playing, children interact more, develop unique communication styles, and strengthen their social abilities. Over time, these interactions become deeper as kids learn to understand different perspectives and emotions. The way children respond to these shared experiences influences whether a friendship will grow or fade.
Another key takeaway is that children’s play experiences shape their friendships. Those with similar interests and experiences are more likely to bond and join the same peer groups. Just like in other age groups, relatability plays a major role in how children build social connections. Play also acts as a foundation for knowledge, where experiences are stored and referenced later when forming relationships. When children seek new friendships, they often look for shared experiences that create a sense of belonging. Exploration is another important part of play, but to fully benefit from it, children need to be part of a peer group that shares their enthusiasm and interests. As a result, kids naturally gravitate toward others with similar play preferences, leading to new friendships and stronger social ties.
Conclusion
Encouraging play in children’s daily activities is essential for helping them build friendships and connect with peer groups. From my perspective, play is crucial for a child’s physical, social, and emotional growth. The best way to support this development is by providing learning experiences that match their needs and age. For example, giving children opportunities to work together on solving a problem helps them practice important social skills. Through these interactions, they learn to control impulsive reactions, express emotions appropriately, and follow social norms.
Because of these benefits, play should not be optional – it should be a necessary part of childhood. Without play, children may struggle to form meaningful relationships and interact confidently with their peers. A child who lacks social engagement through play may find it difficult to connect with others, making it harder to build friendships and navigate social situations as they grow. Therefore, ensuring children have the chance to play is a key step in their overall development.