Friendship Skills

There are several times when two children want to play with the same toy and it can become a conflict. In this lesson, we will learn about the fair ways to play including sharing or playing together, trading and taking turns. The fair ways to play make playing with friends more fun. Children will be given several opportunities to practice how to play with friends safely. How can you practice the fair ways to play at home? 

We are learning about the fair ways to play. Playing is more fun when everyone gets to play together, trade or take turns.  It is okay for children to have different likes and dislikes while playing. Finding ways to have fun with friends despite different preferences can help children begin to acquire problem solving skills. 

Inviting peers to play is a great way to make friends. The word “invite” means to ask a friend to join an activity. This week, children will learn how to use their words to ask another child to play with them. Children will also talk about how they feel when they are invited or not invited to play. At home, children can practice inviting family members to play with them. 

In a previous lesson, our friends practiced inviting other friends to play.  In this lesson, our friends will learn how to join a group of friends who are already engaged in play by noticing what they are playing and coming up with fun ideas to add. Interrupting politely and using words are important skills to use while joining in play. Ask your child how they join in play at school. 

It is normal to see more conflicts arise as children engage in play more. In this video, the problem solving steps will be introduced. The first step is to identify the problem. It is important for children to calm down by using calm down steps and/or Cub Breathing techniques. After a child is calm, he can use words to say what the problem is. 

When problem solving, the first step is to identify the problem. After a child has calmed down with the calm down steps or Cub Breathing techniques, they can use words to say what the problem is. After the problem is identified, children can begin to brainstorm several solutions to help solve the problem. The child can choose which solution they would like to use and put it into action. 

In this lesson, children are learning to use a strong and respectful voice to speak assertively. Children need to be able to speak assertively in a variety of situations including asking for help, strong feelings, peer conflict or asking for an item or activity. When a child has strong feelings, they may need to calm down before they are able to use words. How does your child speak up assertively at home?