The social education aspect of school is not often discussed, yet it is actually a crucial part of a child's life education. When your child starts school and goes to an after-school child care program, they will be exposed to a lot of different kids each day. That's a good thing because it presents many opportunities for children to learn to get along with each other. Unfortunately, not all kids will like each other. Follow these tips for handling the situation if your child really dislikes one of their peers.

Gently Investigate the Situation

Sometimes children dislike one another for reasons that seem insignificant to adults. Your little one may not be forthcoming about their reasons for not liking another child because they're embarrassed. Try to get information about the situation so you know how to best proceed. One way to get your child to open up is to explain a time in your life when you didn't like someone. You can share the reasons you had for not liking someone, and then you may find that your child shares their own reasons.

If that doesn't work, try asking questions that encourage them to share without putting pressure on them. Here are some questions you may want to try: 

• How has the child hurt your feelings?
• What do you wish the child would do differently?
• How does the teacher treat the child?
• What do the other kids think about them?
• What do you wish you could tell the child?

If your child starts opening up, let them talk for as long as they want about the other child. Try not to interrupt or get them to like the other kid right away. The more information you can get, the better armed you will be to handle the issue. 

Help Your Child Develop Coping Skills 

Your child may have to see this person they don't like every day. Because kids generally haven't had time to develop many or any coping skills, now is a good time to teach them some. Give your kids ideas for calming down or self-soothing when the other child gets on their nerves. Let them know they can always talk to you about their feelings.

Talk to Your Child's Caregivers

Speak to the people who are primarily working with your child in the after-school child care program to get help. You may want to just let them be aware of the situation if it isn't likely to escalate. They might be able to help the two children find more common ground and maybe even become friends.

Finally, be patient with your child as they deal with this frustrating situation. Disliking someone isn't fun. By helping them feel heard and understood, you can take away some of the frustration they may be feeling. When you help your child deal with their feelings about the situation, you empower them to ultimately move on without carrying that conflict with them.