One of the wonderful things about Primary is that allows the children to build friendships with each other. It is great to have friends that can help to strengthen your testimony. Primary is a great place to form these friendships. Since I grew up in Utah, I really took having members as friends for granted. Now that I am raising my children outside of Utah, Iam grateful for this added benefit of Primary.
If you are new to the area, you may need to set up play dates so that your children can start building friendships. This may take some work on your part, but it benefits both you and your children. Play dates allow your children to get to know other children in a more relaxed atmosphere. It also gives you the chance to get to know the other parents in the ward.
If is important that you take your children to the Saturday activities and Achievement Days or Scouts. These activities also provide a more relaxed atmosphere for developing friendships. They are also wonderful testimony building experiences.
It is important that Primary be a positive experience for each child. If your child is struggling with making friends in a new area or fitting in, it is important to be proactive about the situation. You can talk to the Primary president or the Primary teacher to see if there is anything that can be done to help your child feel more comfortable.
Another important thing to do is to encourage your child to be kind to others. Children often do not realize how cruel they can truly be. I also encourage my daughter to be the one to reach out to the shy child or the one that people are picking on. This has helped create an awareness of being kind to others and being friends with everyone.
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Primary Time: Activity Days
Primary Time: Dealing With Social Conflicts in Primary