The Friendship Factor: Helping Our Children Navigate Their Social World--and Why It Matters for Their Success and Happiness

by Kenneth Rubin, Andrea Thompson

Based on twenty-five years of research on friendship, Dr. Kenneth H. Rubin reveals the importance of children's social development to their emotional and intellectual growth—and future success. In The Friendship Factor he uses vivid case studies to differentiate normal development from potential problems and real distress, exploring how to:

Genres: Parenting, Relationships

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Lkohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book uses anecdotes from years of research on peer group friendships for elementary and highschool children. It discusses the three basic "types" of children:
-the moving away from child (shy and anxious)
-the moving toward (enters friendships and group play easily and is well received)
-the moving against child (the child that enters groups easily, but acts in various inappropraite ways)

It also discusses the importance and types of friendships by age group.

The thing I liked most though is that each section has "parent skills" that give you practical suggestions to help you help your child form healthy friendships.

Parts of this book can be skipped depending on the type of child you have and their age, but generally I found it extermely helpful both in understanding my own children and in other children that are different than my own.

[Rebekah Sheppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tabbed some areas that really give insight to a child's development. Critical one point take away for me: there is popularity by decency and popularity by dominance. Which do you what your child to value and become?

[Jabiz Raisdana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important rad for teachers and parents a like. Nothing ground breaking, but well researched and organized look at how kids form and maintain friendships.

[Kristylemmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this when Carter first started school and was recently on a course in which the presenter raved about this book. So I am reading it again.