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Children 'solve problems to make friends'

Developing young children's ability to undertake social problem-solving can give them skills that enable them to be 'more socially successful and make more friends', according to a leading academic.

Philip Erwin, professor of psychology at Edge Hill University, hasfocused on a technique known as interpersonal cognitive problem-solving,first developed by researchers in the US.

He said, 'One of the problems children often have is actually perceivingthat there are different ways to approach social dilemmas theyencounter. If they can consider various alternatives then they have todecide among them, and it is useful if they can consider theconsequences of the alternatives.'

Professor Erwin is giving a lecture on his research at the universitythis week.

He said, 'Making friends is dependent on social skills, especiallycommunication. Friendship entails knowing about someone and thisapproach is about breaking down those barriers which prevent childrengetting to know one another.'

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