Making Friends in New Places

Have you ever walked into a new classroom or playground and felt like you were invisible? It's a tough feeling. Everyone seems to have their friends already, and you're on the outside. The good news is that feeling doesn't last forever. Making friends is a skill you can learn, just like riding a bike or learning a game.

Being the new kid can feel lonely at first. It’s totally normal to feel shy or scared. The most important thing to remember is that this feeling is temporary. It takes everyone a little time to feel comfortable in a new place.Think of it like planting a seed. Friendships need time to grow. Here’s what helps:It takes time. Most kids say it takes a few months to feel really settled in a new school. Knowing this can help you be patient with yourself.Just showing up helps. There's a science idea called the mere exposure effect. It just means that the more people see you around, the more familiar and friendly you seem to them. Your brain does this, and so does everyone else's.It’s okay to miss old friends. You can miss your old friends and be excited to make new ones at the same time. Both feel...

Hana was nine, and her family had just moved. For two whole weeks, she ate her lunch alone. She watched the other kids laughing and playing, and she felt a big, heavy lump in her stomach. She was sure she'd never make a friend here. One day, her teacher, Ms. Rojas, asked her what she liked to do. "I love to draw," Hana whispered. Ms. Rojas told her about the after-school art club. Hana was nervous, but she went. In the art room, she sat next to a girl named Valentina, who was drawing a cool-looking dragon. It turned out Valentina had just moved here last month. They talked about drawing and about being new. Hana realized that going to a place with people who liked what she liked was the key.