Carpooling for kids offers many different benefits. It’s great for the environment, convenient for busy families, and offers your entire family more scheduling flexibility. But carpooling has another important benefit: Carpooling helps your kids make friends.
Why Carpooling for Kids Is a Great Idea
Carpooling for kids can help to establish valuable social connections. If your child is shy, has a hard time making friends, or only has a small circle of friends, carpooling can create an environment where they feel safe and comfortable engaging with others.
Carpooling creates a situation that can help all kids to converse, bond, and build friendships:
- A small group of kids – Many kids find it less intimidating to talk with other kids in smaller groups, rather than in large, loud gatherings. With just a few kids in the car, your child may feel more comfortable talking to other kids, even if they don’t yet know them well.
- Common activities – Since you can use carpools transport kids to and from activities, like sports teams or after-school groups, the children already have something in common. This can help to drive conversation.
- Quiet time to talk – It can be difficult for kids to connect with others during busy school, sports, or activities. A carpool offers a quieter, more laid-back environment where children will be more likely to talk and get to know each other.
- Introductions to new kids – Thanks to GoKid, it’s easy to set up and modify carpools. Your child may carpool with one group of kids one week, and then a new child may be introduced to the carpool the next week. It’s a great way for your child to meet many other children in a smaller group setting.
With carpools, a parent is always present to supervise and help guide conversation if necessary. It’s no wonder that carpools help kids make friends so easily.
How to Help Your Kids Make Friends During a Carpool
The nature of carpooling already sets kids up for success, but there are a few things that you can do to help your kids make friends during a carpool.
- Provide leading questions – Children – especially younger kids – may need a little help getting the conversation started during their first carpool. Ask some questions to get the conversation started, such as asking about favorite hobbies, favorite school subjects, and more. By finding things the children have in common, you can help to establish some familiar ground and get the conversation flowing.
- Prepare your child – If your kid is still learning how to make friends, talk with them before the carpool. Let them know about the children that will take part in the carpool, and…
- Bring some supplies – Bring along some supplies to help keep kids entertained and to offer a bit of distraction. A quiet ride with a child your kid doesn’t yet know well can be awkward, but activities like coloring books and games can help to break the ice and get the kids interacting.
Carpools can help kids to make friends, while also providing valuable flexibility to busy families. You may find that your child is able to make great connections with other kids, leading to playdates and long-lasting friendships.
Ready to set up carpools for your children? GoKid is now available for both Android and iOS. Be sure to give it a try!
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