Ep 3. Making Friends

Becoming You is a documentary series that explores the incredible journey of human development from birth to adulthood, showcasing how we become who we are. In season 1, episode 3 named "Making Friends," the focus is on the social development of children and the importance of forming healthy relationships with peers.

The episode begins by highlighting the pivotal role that friendships play in a child's life, and how important it is for children to be accepted and liked by their peers. We follow several children from different parts of the world, ranging in age from three to ten, as they navigate the challenges and rewards of making friends.

One of the children we meet is three-year-old Nko from Mozambique. Nko has just started attending a nursery school and is struggling to make friends with the other children. We see how Nko's parents and teacher work together to help Nko develop the social skills necessary to make friends, such as taking turns, sharing toys, and using polite language. Through their efforts, Nko gradually becomes more confident and starts to form friendships with the other children.

Next, we meet eight-year-old Kai from Japan. Kai is part of a robotics club where he spends most of his free time building and programming robots. While Kai is very passionate about robots, he finds it hard to make friends with other children who do not share the same interest. We observe how Kai's parents encourage him to participate in other activities outside of robotics, such as sports and music, to help him broaden his social circle and make new friends.

The episode also explores how social media is changing the way children interact with each other. We see how ten-year-old Jack from the UK uses social media to keep in touch with his friends and how it has allowed him to stay connected with friends who have moved away. However, the episode also highlights the potential risks of social media, such as cyberbullying, and how parents need to be vigilant to protect their children from these dangers.

Finally, the episode ends by emphasizing the importance of parents and caregivers in helping children develop healthy relationships with their peers. We see how parents can create opportunities for their children to socialize with other children, whether it's through playdates or extracurricular activities. We also learn how important it is for parents to model positive social behaviors themselves, such as being kind and respectful to others.

Overall, "Making Friends" is an insightful and engaging episode that showcases the importance of social interaction in children's lives. It is a reminder that while technology may be changing the way we communicate, the need for human connection and friendships remains just as important as ever.