When you think of your child’s ability to interact, make new relationships, or communicate, who would you give credit to? Their teachers, classmates, neighbors, other family members, or you? 

After school, at least a handful of us always wanted to go out in the neighborhood every evening with our playing kits, waiting for our buddy next door to play and spend some time together. It was nothing unusual until a couple of years ago. 

With evolving lifestyles, children are either glued to their study material and assignments or their screens, which give them endless options to stay entertained but not interact. How can we bring change in our children when we know the benefits of growing up together in a neighborhood? Scroll down to read about why kids should make neighborhood friends.

Social Skills

Being a part of a community, children understand the power of mingling. When a common problem needs immediate solutions, they learn to get things done as a group, initiate, interact, and voice their opinion, thoughts, and feelings effectively and efficiently with a sense of belonging. It motivates and inspires children to fare better in life.  

Giving Mindset

Growing up, we had opportunities to share and care for people within the family and also our neighbors. How about letting our children experience this harmony and build a giving mindset? Not just books, snacks, or TV time, sometimes a kind word or even a shoulder to lean on when things are not right, helps cultivate a sharing nature in children. During an emergency, if you step out to help your neighbor, your child will passively learn that it’s his responsibility to be there in a similar situation.

Long-term Relationships

Childhood friendships are mostly deep if the time together has been a good long one. Sometimes children and adults find it stressful to cope with shifting houses because they fear losing their neighborhood friends with whom they would have walked to school, attended family functions, and had memorable moments. As parents, help children nurture relationships as it adds meaning to their lives.