Ages 11-13 What Makes A Friend?

As children move towards secondary school and early adolescence, friendships become more complex. Social groups begin to change, expectations shift and young people often find themselves asking questions such as:

“Who are my real friends?”
“Why do friendships change?”
“Why do I sometimes feel left out?”

This interactive session helps young people explore what healthy friendships look like, why friendships naturally evolve and how they can build positive, respectful relationships with greater confidence.

At Learn 2 Be Social, we believe that understanding comes before social skills. When young people understand the reasons behind social situations, they are better equipped to make thoughtful choices and build meaningful connections.

💙 Why This Topic Matters

Friendships play an important role in confidence, wellbeing and belonging. Yet many young people are expected to navigate increasingly complex social situations without ever being taught how friendships develop or why they sometimes change.

This session provides a safe, supportive space to explore these ideas, helping young people gain a better understanding of themselves and the people around them.

 

📚 What Young People Will Learn

  • What makes a healthy friendship.
  • The difference between being friendly and being a genuine friend.
  • Why friendships naturally change over time.
  • How trust, respect and communication strengthen relationships.
  • How to recognise positive and unhealthy friendship behaviours.
  • How understanding the social world can help build stronger connections.

🎲 Activities

This is a highly interactive workshop where everyone is encouraged to think, discuss and explore ideas together

Activities include:

  • Interactive Nearpod activities.
  • Opinion polls and quizzes.
  • Real-life friendship scenarios.
  • Group discussions.
  • Reflection activities.
  • Practical strategies that can be used beyond the session.

    There is no pressure to speak if a young person.  The aim is to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable learning together.


 

👧Suitable For

  • Children who find friendships confusing.
  • Children who are anxious in social situations.
  • Children who want to build confidence in social situations. 
  • Children who find making and keeping friends a challenge.

No diagnosis  is required,  children should be able to participate in a small online group and communicate at a level appropriate for the recommended age range.

 

⏰ Session length

45 minutes of interactive learning

Please allow up to one hour for your booking. An additional welcome period gives children time to settle in, get to know one another and feel comfortable before the structured learning begins.

 

✅ Prerequisites

Access to Nearpod is recommended (login details will be provided before the session).

  • If possible, use two devices:
    • One device for the live video session.
    • A second device (tablet, laptop, or another screen) for participating in Nearpod activities.
  • A quiet space with a stable internet connection will help children get the most from the session.

You could also add a reassuring note:

Don’t worry if you only have one device. Children can still take part using a single device, although two screens provide the best experience.  These are standalone sessions, so children can attend just one topic or join multiple sessions throughout the summer.

 

Ready to join us?

Friendships don’t come with an instruction manual but understanding them can make a real difference.

Join us for an engaging, thought-provoking session that helps young people better understand friendships, themselves and the social world around them.

Register and book down below