Peer pressure is a common sight in schools and will be spoken about to children at length. It can be a stressful time for children to overcome, but it is also a key part of learning and reflection. Getting your child to avoid peer pressure can feel difficult, but here are some methods you could consider.

Explain what peer pressure looks like

If your child knows the telltale signs of peer pressure they are more likely to pick up new ways to get out of a tough situation. Normally it will be making the child feel bad for saying no, or forcing them into uncomfortable scenarios, that should be setting off alarm bells in your child’s head. Talk them out with your child, set the scene if you can, to make things more realistic for them.

Teach your child about the art of saying no

A lot of kids feel like they could be left out if they say no, which is where you will have to show your child that they will see benefits from refusing to do something. There are in fact many benefits to doing so – your child will feel more comfortable and happy in the environment they know for instance. You can offer them a reward if they have successfully avoided peer pressure, or use it as an opportunity to start a lesson with them.

Saying no doesn’t mean that your child has to miss out. It’s an important part of their independence – learning what they view is right or wrong. They also have to pick up a lot of confidence through these moments in order to handle themselves on their own.

Don’t scold your child for doing wrong

There will be moments where your child does fall for the peer pressure. It would be wrong to assume that you might not have done it when you were a child as well. Use those moments as opportunities to talk about how you managed to overcome them, and what can be done to explore new ways to feel like they are in control.

It can feel a lot like trial and error with your child sometimes. There won’t be a bad or wrong approach to helping your child avoid peer pressure, and it will ultimately be up to your child’s ways of doing things. However, there can be a lot of advice gained from talking to schools who are very versed in these sorts of situations, like at this Prep School in London. Take the time to talk to teachers about the right approaches and what they recommend based on your child’s personality and behaviours.