Children's Friendship Training (CFT)
Teaching primary-school-aged children the concrete steps of making and keeping friends
Children's Friendship Training (CFT) is a separate, evidence-based social skills curriculum for primary-school-aged children — it is not a PEERS® program, but shares the same core principle: social skills are taught explicitly and practised, not left to be picked up through observation. CFT is suitable for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, social communication difficulties, or a developmental delay.
Delivered via telehealth, CFT is available to families anywhere in Australia — not just those local to Ballarat.
What the Program Covers
Children learn the concrete, practical steps involved in building and keeping friendships, including:
Starting and joining conversations
Finding common interests with peers
Good sportsmanship in games and group activities
Handling teasing, disagreements, or exclusion
Organising successful get-togethers and playdates
Being a good host and a good guest
How It Works
Parent-assisted— parents attend alongside their child and are coached on how to reinforce skills at school, on playdates, and in the wider community
Small groups, via telehealth — sessions are delivered in small groups, making the program accessible to families right across Australia
Real-world carryover — this active-coaching structure is what allows skills learned in session to actually show up in day-to-day friendships, rather than staying confined to the group setting
Is This Program Right for Your Child?
Children's Friendship Training may be a good fit if your child:
Finds it difficult to make or maintain friendships
Struggles to understand social expectations in group settings
Experiences teasing, bullying, or social exclusion
Would benefit from clear, structured teaching of friendship skills rather than informal learning through observation
Frequently Asked Questions
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Children's Friendship Training is designed for primary-school-aged children, roughly 5 to 12 years old.
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No. CFT is a distinct, separately developed evidence-based curriculum designed specifically for younger, primary-school-aged children. Families whose children are moving into adolescence would typically transition to PEERS® for Adolescents.
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Yes — active caregiver involvement is a core, evidence-based part of CFT, not an optional extra.
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CFT is delivered via telehealth in small groups, so families anywhere in Australia can take part.
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Request a call back below. We'll get in touch to talk through your child's needs and confirm whether CFT — or another one of our programs — is the right starting point.