The Myth of Socialization: When Children’s Friendships Work — and When They Wound

Community Workshop

Facilitator(s): Deborah MacNamara, PhD, RCC

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Date: May 11, 2026 | Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

This presentation explores the difference between healthy peer interaction and peer orientation—when children begin to look to one another more than to the adults responsible for them. Drawing on developmental science and decades of clinical experience, Dr. Deborah MacNamara will unpack why peer-to-peer relating can so easily go off course, how it impacts learning, behavior, and emotional well-being, and why adult leadership remains essential in children’s lives.

Participants will learn how to recognize the signs that friendships are nourishing growth—or undermining it—and how parents, educators, and helping professionals can step back into their rightful role of guiding children and safeguarding their hearts.

Because the goal is not to keep children from friendships—but to protect the conditions in which those friendships can truly flourish.

Facilitator(s): Deborah MacNamara, PhD, RCC

A counsellor and developmentalist, award-winning author and researcher, Dr. Deborah MacNamara helps caring adults make sense of human development, so they can lead with insight and create the conditions for children to truly flourish - at home, in school, and in life.

She is on Faculty at the Neufeld Institute, and is the Director of Kid’s Best Bet, a Counselling and Family Resource Center. 

She is also the author of the best-selling book Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers, as well as the children’s picture book, The Sorry Plane.

Rest, Play, Grow has been translated into 9 languages and we have 2 copies to give away at this session.

Important Details to Note Prior to Registering:

  • This online free training is offered to childcare staff working in Burnaby and Vancouver. 
  • Only registered individuals will be allowed to join the workshop.
  • Professionals attending will receive a professional development certificate if applicable within one week of the workshop.
  • Participation is required. Your video needs to be on, your camera must be enabled and your microphone working to receive your certificate. Participants must stay for the full workshop/course to receive a certificate.
  • You can join the Zoom link 15 minutes prior to the presentation start time. We will not admit anyone 15 minutes after the start time with respect to the presenters and participants.
  • All participants are expected to complete an online survey after the training.
  • If you cannot attend please do your best to provide 48 hours notice. If you do not cancel and do not show up you will be put on a waitlist and removed from future trainings.