Kids and community: why connections are important
When your child is connected to extended family, family friends and people in their neighbourhood and community, they have:
- a sense of belonging to a place and community
- opportunities to learn about getting along with others
- opportunities to learn about other people and themselves
- people they can go to when they need help
- a network they can use to learn about different jobs, skills and so on.
Different community connections have different benefits for your child.
Strong social and community connections can also boost your child’s confidence and lead to new friendships.
Connections with extended family and family friends
Extended family and family friends can strengthen your child’s sense of belonging. Some of these people are in your child’s life because you’ve chosen them. Others are related to you and your child.
These people might celebrate family occasions like birthdays with your child. Or they might take an interest in your child and their achievements. For example, your child’s grandparents might celebrate your child’s successes, like when they win an award at school or in sport.
Being in touch with other adults and families also helps your child see that not all families are the same. This can help them understand that there are many different values, routines and ideas in the world.
And when parents are under stress, family members or friends might help and support your family. For example, they might pick up your child from school if you’re sick or delayed.
Neighbourhood connections
Neighbourhood connections help your child feel safe, included, and like they belong. They also help your child learn about different kinds of people and the world around them, which helps them develop a sense of identity.
You can create these connections just by saying hello or waving to your neighbours when you’re walking or riding bikes around your local streets.
You can also point out important people in your community like school crossing supervisors, librarians and police officers. It can be good to explain how these people help your child and the community.
Local activities and experiences, like local markets or cultural festivals, can also be a great way to connect with many different people.
Connections with local organisations
Your child might be involved in organisations like sports clubs, music or art societies, religious organisations or volunteer groups. These can give your child opportunities to build skills, follow interests and ‘give back’ to the community. They’re also ways for you to connect with other parents.
Tips to help your child make community connections
Here are ideas for helping your child connect with extended family, friends and people in the neighbourhood and community:
- Make opportunities for trusted relatives or family friends to have time with your child. Check with your child that they’re OK with this and enjoy their time with these people. If your child feels forced to spend time with someone, this might not be a positive experience for them.
- Walk or cycle to a local park and let your child play on the equipment. Being out in your neighbourhood gives you both the chance to meet new people.
- Get involved in community activities and volunteering opportunities and take your child along with you. School working bees, community gardens, fetes and festivals give you an opportunity to connect with people who are working together.
- Help people in your neighbourhood. For example, your child could help you feed the neighbour’s cat when they’re away.
- Look at photos of family and friends with your child to spark their interest in the relationships that are important to your family. You and your child could even work on a family story book together.
- Model social skills with people in your community. This can be as simple as saying ‘hello’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. Your child will watch the way you talk with people and follow your example. And this helps your child learn how to get along with people.
- When you go for walks around the neighbourhood, play a game of ‘Who can you see?’ ‘Why are people on the street?’ ‘What are they doing?’ You and your child will probably notice most people going about their everyday business. This encourages your child to be observant and aware of their personal safety.
Child safety in the community
It’s essential for your child to feel safe around people in their community, and there are some adults you might not want your child to connect with.
Always meet and talk with adults who’ll be in contact with your child away from home or school, and share relevant information about your child with other parents. This might include your child’s allergies, likes, dislikes and additional needs.
It’s also a good idea to encourage your child to tell you about adults that they’re coming into contact with – for example, a new helper at their sports club. And make sure your child knows that if someone makes them feel nervous or uncomfortable, they need to tell you about their feelings.
When your child is starting a new activity in the community, it’s important to find out how the organisation will look after their safety and wellbeing. For example, you can check whether the organisation is using the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. You should be able to get this information from the enrolment information, permission forms or organisation’s website. It’s also OK for you to ask.
Child safeguarding is protecting children and teenagers from abuse in their families and communities. This includes child sexual abuse. Safeguarding is part of creating safe local communities that help children grow and thrive.