Social-Emotional Wellness Activities for Families

Today's Theme: Friendship

The Best Way to Make Friends Is to Be a Good Friend from verywellfamily.com, article by Amy Morin, LCSW

From a young age, your child will naturally gravitate toward others, developing strong friendships. However, learning how to be a good friend isn't necessarily an intuitive skill. Children who struggle to be a good friend exhibit a fair amount of behavioral issues.

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Activity/Craft

Activity - Matching Game

This activity uses connection as a way for children to start friendships by recognizing things they have in common with others.


When you're out with your child today ask them questions about the people they see. Try to and find and recognize connections.


Examples:


"Look, that child is walking a dog, you like dogs. Let's ask them about it."


"Our neighbor is jumping rope, do you like to jump rope?"


"See that interesting bracelet? Let's ask them about it."


Click HERE to find some Friendship Bracelet ideas by Angela from projectswithkids.com. Help your child make two bracelets. Have them keep one and give the other to a friend.

VIDEO

How to be Friends CBC Kids with Mr. Orlando and Studio K

People enjoy spending time with others who make them feel good about themselves and share connections. Remember, to have a friend requires you to be a friend.


Parenting can be exhausting and sometimes our own friendships get pushed aside. It's important to role model healthy, positive friendships for your child. Here are some tips to share with your child.


  • Listen and pay attention when friends speak
  • Ask friends questions about themselves
  • Keep a daily journal and write notes about new things you learn about your friends, pets names, birthdate, etc.
  • Take the time to learn how to pronounce people's name correctly.

BOOK LIST

That’s My Friend! By Vad Lee, illustrated by Tara Calahan King


How to Be a Friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them (Dino Tales: Life Guides for Families) by Laurie Krasny Brown, illustrated by Marc Brown


The Not-So-Friendly Friend: How to Set Boundaries for Healthy Friendships by Christina Furnival, illustrated by Katie Dwyer


Don’t Hug Doug: (He Doesn’t Like It) by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman


The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lopez


The Pirate Tree by Brigita Orel, illustrated by Jennie Poh


Not So Different by Cyana Riley, illustrated by Anastasia Kanavaliuk


My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems


Enemy Pie by Derek Munson, illustrated by Tara Calahan King

MINDFULNESS ACTIVITIES

For older kids and teens.

jumping-kids-yong-child-character-in-jump-vector-21457333.jpg

MOVEMENT ACTIVITY

Click on the Video below and have a dance party to this friendship song and dance collection.

ADDITIONAL PARENT RESOURCES

Helping Kids Make Friends, Parenting Science


Nurturing Social Skills, Parents


Additional Children’s Books on Building Friendships, PBS.org 


Friendship Lessons for All Ages and Stages from Scholastic.com

Self Help Inc./CFCE | Website

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