This section aims to help children understand each other better and see that making new friends is easier than they might believe.

Instructions:

1. Print one page of the “Spot the Difference” sheet (students can work as a class or print out one per child or do with their partner).
2. Print “buddy worksheet“ one per child. Read to the students the questions from the “buddy worksheet“. Students can draw or write their answer to the right of the question (space provided).
3. Ask students to write their names on a piece of paper and put into a hat or box (to be used later).
4. Teachers pull two names from the hat/box. These two students will be partners. They will sit down with their new partner and go over their worksheets and circle their similarities (repeat til all students are paired up).
5. Monday thru Friday- ask 3/4 pairs to present their similarities. This exercise can be spread over a few weeks

Friendship Quilt

What you need:

– Construction paper – Glitter – Glue – Paint – Crayons/markers – Various other art supplies of your choice

What you do:

Give each of your students a piece of construction paper and let them decorate it any way that they want. Connect all of the pieces and you will get a fabulous Friendship Quilt.

Making Friends

have the children stand or sit in a circle holding hands. The teacher starts the Friendship Squeeze

by gently squeezing the hand of the child next to her. The child then passes on the Friendship Squeeze to the next child, etc. around circle. Each day instruct the children to sit beside someone whose hand they have not yet squeezed.

Ask your students why they think it is important to have a friend.

Explain that some children make friends easily while other children have more difficulty making a new friend.

Ask them to share their experiences making a friend and describe specific words and actions they may have used to initiate friendship.

Examples

I could say, “Will you be my friend?”

I could say, “Do you want to play?”

I could just start to play with someone

I could help someone make a puzzle

I could go to the same play area as someone

I could walk up to someone new and tell them my name.

I could play with other children rather than by myself

I could share my toys with someone new.