{"id":3277,"date":"2026-04-29T09:47:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T13:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enmodeado.ca\/?post_type=boite-a-outils&p=3277"},"modified":"2026-04-29T11:09:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T15:09:39","slug":"social-relationships-among-preteens","status":"publish","type":"boite-a-outils","link":"https:\/\/enmodeado.ca\/en\/boite-a-outils\/social-relationships-among-preteens\/","title":{"rendered":"Social relationships among preteens"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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\r\n \r\n <\/i> <\/span>\r\n In this info sheet <\/h2>\n\n\n

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Friendships are very important during the preteen years. Through interactions with their friends, children learn to listen to and respect others. They also learn to express their opinions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friendships can make them very happy but also create challenges, such as conflicts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this fact sheet, you\u2019ll find out how to guide your preteen in their relationships with others.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\r\n

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Does your preteen want to spend more time with their friends? Does family time seem less and less appealing to them? Do you feel like your child is paying more attention to what others think? You\u2019re not the only parents in this situation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To better understand<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The importance of friends<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the preteen years, friends <\/strong>become increasingly important. Preteens often want to spend time with people who are like them and who like the same things. During this period of their lives, preteens go through major milestones, including puberty and the transition from elementary to high school. During these emotionally charged times, friends <\/strong>can be an important source of support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With their friends, <\/strong>preteens practise listening to and considering others. They also learn to express their opinions respectfully. That said, they may experience conflicts. This is normal and even useful! These situations are opportunities for your child to learn how to handle disagreements appropriately.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Self-discovery<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between the ages of 9 and 12, children also want to be more independent. Preteens are trying to get to know themselves better and show who they are. To do this, they may look to people around them for inspiration, such as an older sibling, or public figures, such as celebrities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this age, children are also sensitive to what other people think and say. They sometimes make choices to follow a trend or to please others. Their choices may also be motivated by a fear of rejection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a parent, how can you support them? Let\u2019s look at a few concrete ways.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/section>\r\n

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Be there for your preteen<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Support your preteen in discovering and asserting themselves<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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Help your preteen identify their interests and values:<\/strong><\/p>\n