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What is friendship?

Why is friendship important?

What are friends for?

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This nonfiction picture book is designed for young children to learn about friendship. It talks about making the right kinds of friends, how to handle conflict, and the benefits of friendship. This book is designed to help children navigate friendships.

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What is a friend and How to Possibly Make One?

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What is a friend and How to Possibly Make One?

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This fiction book starts off with a simple definition of friendship. This book especially highlights the importance of having empathy for other people around you. This book promotes kindness, and sharing that all students deserve a friend.

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A Friend is Someone Who by Marilee Joy Mayfield 

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A Friend is Someone Who by Marilee Joy Mayfield 

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This book discusses what a friend is supposed to be like and make you feel. For example, a friend to cheer you on, make you feel less anxious, and many more examples.

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The Buddy Bench is about a group of children at recess who have recess together. Many students felt left out at recess in this story. This book discusses what to do when somebody is alone at recess. The students create a "Buddy Bench" for students to sit on so they are not alone. This book includes colorful pictures and a rhyming pattern.

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This video includes children and adults discussing the important topic of friendship. This includes what is friendship, how to make friends, and many other important topics.

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PBS KIDS Talk About: Friendship | PBS KIDS

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Goodbye Friend Hello Friend by Cori Doerrfeld 

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Goodbye Friend Hello Friend by Cori Doerrfeld 

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This book is about how when one door closes, the next door opens with friendships. The main character leaves home and ends up meeting a friend named Charlie.

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How to Spot a Best Friend by Be a Birdsong

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How to Spot a Best Friend by Be a Birdsong

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This book is about how spotting a friend is about finding good qualities in a person. Everyone has the potential to be a best friend to someone else and make their life easier.

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This video highlights of the importance of friendship, and why friendship is important for all children. This video also discusses good traits to look for in a friend.

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This article discusses the importance of friendship, and ways to make a maintain friendships. Article goes into detail about introducing yourself, taking turns, do things together, and help one another.

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Friends are important. They are the people in your life that you know and like. Friends do not have to be just the same as you. They can be older or younger. You and your friends can enjoy different things.…

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1. Students will write or draw characteristics and traits that make a good friend before we start this unit. Students have the opportunity to share any of their ideas with the class and have a group discussion about these characteristics.

2. The teacher will read the buddy bench as a read aloud to the class. Afterward, on an anchor chart, the class will brainstorm ideas on how to make someone feel included at recess, and how to apply this in real life.

3. An important aspect of friendship is making your friends know why they are important and special to you. Students will have a chance to write and draw a card to a friend and bring it to them.

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Supportive Text #2 How to Be an Awesome Friend

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Supportive Text #2 How to Be an Awesome Friend

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This article by National Geographic's discusses tips to be an awesome friend. One tip in particular is to not hold a grudge and move on when a friend makes you feel upset.

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Just like baking cookies or playing soccer, making friends is a skill. And the more you practice, the easier it gets. Check out these tips on making and keeping friends.

MEETING NEW FRIENDS

School, the playground, the library, and even the local toy store are great places to meet new friends. But it can feel weird to start up a conversation with someone you've never met before. Ask a parent or a sibling to pretend they're a new potential friend so that you can practice starting a conversation. Here are some ideas of things you could say.

* "I like your shoes."
* "That's a great book."
* "Have you seen (insert movie or TV show here)?"
* "Did you see that dog over there? He's hilarious."

Don't just practice asking one question-practice an entire conversation, thinking about how you'll keep the chatter going with other questions and things you might have in common.

The best part about a new friend is that you get to learn to see the world from another kid's point of view. So be open to making friends who might be different from you. People come in all shapes and sizes, and it's impossible to know what someone's like just by looking at them.

BEING A FRIEND

So now you have new friends. Yay, you! Keep that friend around by being an awesome friend back. Always remember that ...

Good friends are reliable, so keep your promises and do what you'll say you'll do.

Good friends are there when someone's happy and sad.

Good friends bring out the best in other people.

Good friends stick together no matter what.

Good friends are generous with their things-and their time.

KEEPING A FRIEND

Friendships aren't always going to be perfect. Even adult friends have disagreements, but most of the time it's easy to get things back on track. Here are some things to try.

Cool off. If a conversation is heating up into a major disagreement, step away and take a few deep breaths. Be angry or upset might make you more likely to say something you can't take back. So take some time to just chill out.

Do a private play-by-play. Remind yourself exactly what happened. Where did it happen? Who was involved? What led up to it? Be honest about everything-this might help you figure out what you're really angry about so you can express yourself later.

Get some face time. Even if you don't think the fight was your fault, ask your friend to talk after you've both calmed down a bit. Do this in a private place, away from other people who might offer not-very-helpful advice.

Talk it out. OK, here's the hard part. First, apologize for your role in the disagreement, even if it's just a simple, "I'm sorry I got so mad." Ditch the eyerolls and the crossing-your-arms-over-your-chest poses, and calmly explain why you felt hurt or angry. Let your friend do the same, and listen to each other. Don't offer up excuses or get defensive, and avoid "You did this" statements so no one feels attacked. Then talk about how both of you can do things differently in the future.

Get over it! Hug things out (or, you know, just shake on it), then move beyond your disagreement. Don't hold a grudge, and don't bring things up later.

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Just like baking cookies or playing soccer, making friends is a skill. And the more you practice, the easier it gets. Check out these tips on making and keeping friends. School, the playground, the library, and even the local toy store are great places to meet new friends.

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What are some characteristics I can look for in a friend?

How can I maintain my friendships?

What do I do if a friendship is no longer serving me?

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This story follows Brown the pencil, who lives in a pencil box. Brown along with all the colors have great characteristics that make them unique. Brown is feeling isolated, but realizes he brings his uniqueness and kindness to the pencil box. Brown learns to have friends, you need to be a good friend.

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Make a Friend, Be a Friend by Eric Braun

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Make a Friend, Be a Friend by Eric Braun

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This short, chapter book includes four chapters about facts about friendship, how to make friends, how to maintain friends, and how to be a good friend. This book highlights the importance of different strategies kids can use to make friends.

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This picture book discusses the importance of the classroom community. The classroom is a great place for students to make and maintain friendships because you spend a lot of time with one another. This book compares the classroom to a family, which is an important message for many students.

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How can we include others who may be different than us?

How can we celebrate our differences?

What is Diversity?

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This book is about Henry, a young boy with autism who is looking to make friends. How do you struggles when people are too close to him or if some thing is too loud. This book shows how Henry is able to make friends with a girl named Katie, and how navigating friendship looks a little different for Henry.

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Kindness Starts with You by Jacqueline Stage

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Kindness Starts with You by Jacqueline Stage

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This book follows Maddy she attends school and does many random acts of kindness. This book discuss the importance of kindness, no matter how small the act may be, and how kindness can make a huge difference in someone else's life. Each page includes a light ball lesson about kindness can spark discussion.

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This book, stick, helps stone out when he is in a tough situation with pinecone. The plot line of the story is following if stone will reciprocate the act. This book discusses kindness and doing kind act to others.

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This nonfiction picture book includes methods, using mindful yes and Cognitive behavioral therapy to help students to navigate social situations. This book includes many activities that children can do to navigate friendship and social situation, such as a friendship quiz, coloring, etc.

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Dr. Friendstastic is a short weekly five minute podcast where real kids ask questions about navigating friendships. The episode I chose to share here is about a 14-year-old girl who is asking for advice on how to handle a controlling friend. Dr. Friendstastic gives practical and kind advice on how to handle situations with friendship.

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Dr. Friendtastic - Friendship Advice for Kids

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how to help a friend who is being bullied

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what to do if your friend is doing something unsafe

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teaching kids about helping others in danger

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TEACHERS: For a quick and easy friendship lesson, play a podcast episode up to the end of the kid question, then ask students what advice they'd give. Play Dr. Friendtastic's answer, then use the discussion questions to deepen students' understanding.

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This student lead video is about different tips and strategies about how to make friends. Many different students share. What a good friend means to them, which can give students ideas on how they can be a good friend.

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This article is a resource for parents, teachers, supportive staff to better help students who may struggle with friendship. This article shares advice, strategies, and suggestions.

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Every parent knows schoolyard friendships are important. Friends enrich our lives, boost our self-esteem, and provide the moral support we need when we're memorizing multiplication tables. Developmentally speaking, making a friend in school is every bit as important as getting an A. Learning how to form successful peer relationships is a critical skill for kids, and one that they will be using-and refining-all their lives.

But some kids have a harder time fitting in. Cornerstones of childhood interaction, like sharing a toy or engaging in make-believe, might elude them. While parents can't make friends for their children, they can help them develop and practice key social skills. If you see your child struggling to make friends or getting rejected by other kids, here are some steps you can take to help.

Building social skills

Social skills don't come naturally to all kids. Impulsive and hyperactive children often act in ways that stymie their strong desire for friendship, notes Mary Rooney, PhD, a psychologist who specializes in ADHD and disruptive behavior disorders. They often have trouble taking turns and controlling their anger when they don't get their way. More inattentive kids may act flighty or hover at the margins of playgroups, unsure of how to assert themselves.

If you notice that your child is struggling to interact with their peers, try some coaching at home. Emphasize taking turns and sharing during family playtime and explain that friends expect the same good behavior. Impulsive children will also benefit from practicing different strategies for settling peer conflict. Role playing can be very helpful here. Of course, as a parent you should also be careful to model good social behavior yourself when talking to family members and your own friends.

For kids who need more intensive guidance, experts suggest using "social scripts," or simple everyday conversations that kids can practice with their parents. You can work with your child's doctor or behavioral therapist to select appropriate scripts and develop a strategy for rehearsing and implementing them. Social scripts are especially helpful for children on the autism spectrum who need to deliberately learn key social skills, such as establishing eye contact and responding to the moods of others.

Finally, if your child has been having a hard time making friends, Dr. Rooney suggests setting up a meeting with their teacher. "Often kids will say 'everyone hates me,' but they may not be able to describe what's going on." Teachers can give a better sense of your child's peer interactions and suggest more positive classmates for after-school playdates.

Supervised playdates are a great way for children to build their social muscles. Dr. Rooney suggests that parents spend some time before playdates reviewing social cues with their children. Some activities for playdate-prep include:

Talk with your child about what it means to be a good host. What will your child do to make their guests feel comfortable?

Have your child pick out a few games in advance. How will your child know when it's time to move on to the next game?

Ask your child how they'll know if guests are having a good time. Are they smiling? Laughing?

As long as the children don't veer into play that's outright dangerous, let the playdate unfold as it may, recommends Jamie Howard, PhD, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute. Children learn from the natural consequences of their actions, which is why it's so important to let them practice socializing in a warm, supportive setting.

And when you review how it went, focus on the good behaviors you want to reinforce. "Kids are more motivated by praise than by avoiding criticism," says Dr. Howard. "Specific, labeled praise is most helpful. Instead of 'good job,' say, 'you shared very well with your friend.'"

Helping shy kids

Some kids are natural social butterflies while others need more time to warm up to new situations. Don't worry if your child is a little more hesitant in social situations. Expecting every child to jump in and be the leader of the group isn't realistic, so avoid pushing too hard. However, parents shouldn't make the mistake of keeping more tentative kids at home, either. Rachel Busman, PsyD, a psychologist who works with anxious kids, explains, "There's a difference between accommodating and enabling. For shyer kids we want to give them opportunities to meet new kids, but we want to help bridge the transition so they aren't too uncomfortable."

Dr. Busman suggests planning playdates at your house first, where your child will be most at ease. Clubs or other activities are also a good way to make friends because they provide built-in structure that helps minimize anxiety. If your child is reluctant to try something new, suggest inviting a friend they're already comfortable with to join in. As with any social skill, parents can help shy kids rehearse ahead of time for a situation that makes them nervous, like going to a birthday party or meeting a new group of people.

Every child is different

Dr. Busman notes there is also a difference between children who are shy and children who are simply more introverted and prefer spending their down time reading or drawing by themselves. "Different children in the same family can have different social limits and degrees of comfort. A child who prefers quiet time or being in small groups isn't necessarily avoiding other kids." But it's essential that more introverted children still get opportunities to make friends. Dr. Busman recommends knowing how much your child can handle and setting expectations accordingly. It's enough for some kids to find just one thing they like to do once a week.

Finally, it's important that parents not place too many of their own social expectations on children. Dr. Rooney advises keeping things in perspective. "Kids need just one or two good friends. You don't have to worry about them being the most popular kid in their class."

How can you help your child make friends?

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Kids Who Need a Little Help to Make Friends - Child Mind Institute

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What parents can do when kids struggle with social skills. How to help kids who need a little help to make friends and develop friendships.

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Supportive Text #2 Friendship Facts for Kids

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Supportive Text #2 Friendship Facts for Kids

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This article contains facts about why friendships are important for everyone. This is a great resource for kids, who think in a literal sense, and like to have their information backed up by concrete facts.

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A friend is a person that someone likes or knows.

People who are friends talk to each other and spend time together. They also help each other when they are in trouble or are hurt. Friends are people that can be looked up to and trusted. Sometimes people can't share their secrets with their parents so they can share it with their friends. Usually friends have similar interests. A friend is one who admires a person's skill and helps or encourages them to make the right choices and do not get into any trouble at all.

The strength of the bond of friendship between two people can vary. If the bond is very strong, they are called best friends. This can usually be achieved by possessing the elements of friendship, by being kind, generous, loyal, honest and by having fun. With these qualities you can truly enjoy the bliss of friendship. There are expectations, demands and complaints in friendship too.

If friends don't match with your expectations, it does not mean you will break the friendship. It is all about understanding, realizing and helping whenever possible.

Friendship is both good and necessary. Man cannot live all alone. He is a social being. He needs someone to share his joys and sorrows. Generally, it is only people of similar age, character and background, mentality, etc., who can understand him and his problems. Friends are needed for support and for sharing.

Images for kids

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A friend is a person that someone likes or knows. People who are friends talk to each other and spend time together. They also help each other when they are in trouble or are hurt. Friends are people that can be looked up to and trusted.

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1. The teacher will read the read aloud Making Friends is an Art. Afterwords students will fill out a graphic organizer about a characteristic that makes them unique and special. For example, they may discuss how they are kind, smart, help, others, etc..

2. The teacher will present a friendship scenario and will ask for volunteers to role-play the scenario. For example, one student is alone at recess. What can you do in the situation? The students will act out the situation.

3. Students will make friendship bracelets. Students are given a random student to give the bracelet to you in the class. The student will give the bracelet and give a kind compliment to the student to spread and promote kindness.

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How can I be a good friend?

What can I do if I see somebody who looks like they could use a friend?

How is being kind related to being a good friend?

What is Empathy?

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You can be a Good Friend No Matter What by Tara Henson

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You can be a Good Friend No Matter What by Tara Henson

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In the story, TJ is a little different than her classmates and ends up getting teased because of it. She ends up, embracing her personality and not letting others impact her.

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The Sound of Kindness by Amy Ludwig VanderWater

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The Sound of Kindness by Amy Ludwig VanderWater

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This follows a child and adult who are looking for kindness around them. They decide to go on a kindness walk, and they see others their community promoting and showing kindness. Being and seeing kindness makes them feel good inside.

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This book explores, the definition, and what empathy means for children. Emily is in many situations where she needs to understand and take the perspective of the other person she learns, and understands what empathy is. This book help students realize empathy is connected to friendship.

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In this story Amera is having a bad day and is taking it out on others around her. Her mother tells her to "taste her words". This means that when you are mean to others, it makes you feel bad, and it makes others around you feel worse.

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The Circle all Around Us by Brad Montague 

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The Circle all Around Us by Brad Montague 

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The story starts by discussing a figurative circle of the people closest to you. You start off with just your family. Overtime your family may grow, you meet new friends, so your figurative circle grows. The circle symbolizes all the people in your life, who make a positive impact on you and the importance of community.

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In the story, Olivia has the ability to choose to be kind. Kindness is a choice that makes her feel good inside, and she claims that it is her superpower. Being kind can lead to people wanting to be around you and making strong friendships and relationships.

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This National Geographic article shares many different examples on how you can be kind. One of the examples is looking out for bullying and being an ally for students around you. Being kind can make you feel better too.

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Kids who are kind feel better about themselves and often generate the same positive feelings in those around them. But you don't necessarily get there on your own. You need positive role models as well as practice. Then check out the Nat Geo Kids book 100 Ways to Make the World Better! by Lisa Gerry.

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Check out these simple ideas that will bring out the kindness in your kid.

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This timeforkids article discusses the science behind being kind. Instead of being selfish, when you be kind to others, it will also make you feel good inside.

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Imagine you're part of an experiment. There are two groups. Members of the first group get $10 to spend as they wish. Members of the second group also get $10. But they must use it to help others. Which group would you rather be part of? Which would make you happier?

Researchers at Kindlab study the results of experiments like this. Kindlab is part of a group called Kindness.org. The Kindlab team is interested in the effect that helping others has on the person doing the helping.

Kindlab's goal is to use scientific data to spread good deeds around the world. Oliver Curry is a research director at Kindlab. "The more we understand why people are kind, the better we'll be able to . . . make the world a kinder place," Curry told TIME for Kids.

JAROSLAV WINTER

Gathering Data

In 2018, Kindlab published a report called "Happy to Help?" The group analyzed 27 experiments by other researchers. The experiments compared how people felt when they helped others with how they felt when they didn't. "What we found when we aggregated × aggregate GI/JAMIE GRILL-GETTY IMAGES to add up (adjective) When we aggregated our earnings from the fundraiser, we found we had raised more than $500. the results is that helping does make you happy," Curry says.

COURTESY KINDNESS.ORG

Anyone can help with the work Kindlab is doing. How? By becoming a volunteer scientist. Volunteers gather data for research projects. Kindlab has more than 400 volunteer scientists in 45 countries. Jaclyn Lindsey is Kindness.org's chief executive and cofounder. "We're committed to putting out content and programs that are credible × credible PETER ROSE/EYEEM-GETTY IMAGES believable (adjective) Maria said her dog ate her homework, but Mrs. Mable did not find the story credible. ," she says. Studying data helps the group make sure it can do that.

Volunteer scientists helped Kindlab and Harvard University on a project. The project evaluated the costs-in terms of money, time, and effort-of a kind act. Then it looked at how much the act would benefit others. Volunteers filled out surveys to rate the cost and benefits of good deeds. Researchers analyzed the data. This helped them determine which deeds were most cost-effective × cost-effective MASKOT-GETTY IMAGES producing the best results at the smallest cost (adjective) A bicycle is a cost-effective method of transportation. (see "Good Deeds").

Kindlab will use the data to create a database. It will be the first database of recommended acts of kindness. It will help people make informed choices about their kind actions.

Engaging Students

Kindness.org is also working to spread empathy in classrooms. This year, the group launched a program called Learn Kind in 741 classrooms worldwide. It encourages students to take a scientific approach to kindness. "We're giving students a few ideas of kind acts to try and asking them to report back on the experience," Curry says.

BARBARA EVANS

Kushagra Kumar, 9, is from Houston, Texas. He has enjoyed being part of Learn Kind. For one activity, he was asked to find out whether quarantine would limit kindness. But he found that quarantine gave him more chances to help others. "I sent video messages to my grandma telling her that I love her," Kushagra says. How did he feel after the call? "Happy!"

COURTESY NAMRATA SINGH

In May, Kindness.org published a report. It listed the most cost-effective acts of kindness during a pandemic. These actions can be taken while social-distancing or in quarantine. Volunteer scientists helped the group put the report together. They rated how much effort goes into a specific act. They also rated how beneficial the act is. The list shown here is from Kindness.org. It features the top-five easiest and most effective acts of kindness.

1. Say thank you to someone who made your meal possible.

2. Cover your mouth when you cough.

3. Be on time for video calls.

4. Tell the people you love how you feel about them.

5. Video call your parents or grandparents.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly noted that the Learn Kind curriculum is in more than 450 schools worldwide. It is in 741 classrooms worldwide.

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Imagine you're part of an experiment. There are two groups. Members of the first group get $10 to spend as they wish. Members of the second group also get $10. But they must use it to help others. Which group...

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This find video is a clip taken from Sesame Street about learning the word empathy. The man and the puppet talk about what empathy is and how you can apply it in your own life.

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This short podcast clip featuring kids discusses what empathy is. This podcast includes some English instruction about the origin of the word, empathy, information about the prefix, and the suffix, and the definition. This video discusses how empathy is a positive thing to have.

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1. The teacher will read the read aloud to Taste your Words. Students will then turn and talk about a time where they were mean, or someone was mean to them. Afterwards, students will share about this time, and the class will discuss how it made them feel. As a class, everyone will brainstorm a solution instead of being mean.

2. Students will vote and agree on a charity to raise money for with loose change. Once the class has decided on a charity, students will be able to bring in any loose. Change to donate. The teacher will discuss the importance of working together as a community to help others, and how it can bring the class closer together.

3. Students will listen to the read aloud You can be a Good Friend. After, students will write one thing they can do to be a good friend on a small piece of rectangular paper. The class will then turned the pieces of paper into a paper chain around the classroom as a reminder about how we can be good friends to one another.

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This nonfiction book uses real photographs of real kids to discuss how everyone looks different. First graders are able to read this book independently. This book shows that it is a positive to have friends, who may be different than you.

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This book is about a six different kids who have different disabilities. This book discusses each of their lives, and how they are just like other kids. This book teaches children to celebrate one another's differences, and include others who may be different than you.

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This story is unique because it does not include any words at all, just illustrations that tell a story. In the story, the main character sees a classmate being treated poorly, and decides to act kindly, and stand up for the classmate. This book provokes students to use their imagination, because there are no words.

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In the children's picture book Thank you, Omu, Emu makes a stew and his generously sharing it with everybody and his community. Soon he realizes or may not be enough stew for him. Students can discuss that it is important to be generous, but also find the balance to take care of yourself. This book includes many beautiful and vibrant visuals and is a Caldecott Award winning book.

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Someone Just like You by Helen Docherty 

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Someone Just like You by Helen Docherty 

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In this children's picture book, it discusses how there is somebody just like you out there. They share some examples such as somebody who likes to laugh, or someone who may speak the same language as you. This book includes many diverse images of children.

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This article highlights, a young girl, named Sammie, who established a body bench to promote inclusion and kindness at the playground. This appropriate article describes how Sammie started this Buddy Bench movement, and why it is important.

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Sammie Vance goes to school in Indiana. She started the Buddy Bench program there. Anyone could sit on the "buddy bench." It meant that person needed a friend. Read about Sammie's kindness campaign.

Getting Started

Sammie collected plastic. Her community helped gather 1,200 pounds of plastic lids.

Making Benches

The lids were recycled to make benches. Recycling helps the environment.

Seeing a Difference

The benches brought students together. Many students made new friends. Sammie noticed that her classmates were happier.

Spreading Kindness

Sammie's benches are all over the United States. They can be found around the world. She recently helped place a bench in Ghana, Africa.

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Sammie Vance goes to school in Indiana. She started the Buddy Bench program there. Anyone could sit on the "buddy bench." It meant that person needed a friend. Read about Sammie's kindness campaign. Getting Started Sammie collected plastic. Her community...

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This article discusses the importance of diverse friendships and how they can positively impact our mental health. Healthy and diverse friendships can help us learn different perspectives and different point of view.

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All healthy friendships require challenge for growth. When friends present ideas and thoughts that are different from each other, they can gain a fuller understanding of each other and the world as a whole. The same is even truer when you have more diverse friends.

Diversity literally means "having or being composed of different elements," but, socially, the meaning goes far beyond this. Diversity in society encompasses several identities: race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and more. When you surround yourself with people who are quite different from you, it is likely that you will all bring different ideas to the table and challenge each other with those ideas, helping each other grew interpersonally and even outside of these relationships.

Enriching your life

"Having diverse relationships allows you to experience aspects of the world that are unique and unlike your own," says TJ Barber, Counselor at Centerstone. Having these friendships does not mean you have to change who you are, but rather that you get to exchange who you are with others and reap the benefits of them showing you who they are. You will open up your mind to more ideas, which will help you make more meaningful connections in the future with far more people.

Having strong diverse friendships also improves how you interact with diverse people in the world outside of your relationships. "Encountering diverse people is inevitable," says Kayla Spikes, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager for Centerstone. "Whether or not you have diverse friends, you will see other people in the world who don't look or think like you." Your diverse friendships can give you a better context for different people's lives and help you remove biases you may have before even interacting with a person. The world is increasingly global, so we will continue to encounter more people who are not like us as time goes on.

For your mental health

"There is power in these formed alliances," says Kayla Spikes. "Diverse friendships allow us to be validated by someone who has a different experience." Having close relationships with diverse people can provide a deeper level of support to help with our mental health challenges.

According to TJ Barber, "There is a different connection when someone tells you, 'I see you.'" This can reduce feelings of isolation, like the feeling that you are the only one going through something. You can develop a more positive self-image and strengthen your mental health overall with these supports.

Growing in diversity is a process and requires intentional exposure. You may make mistakes when building these new friendships, but they will help you grow if you let them.
If you need extra guidance navigating your relationships, Centerstone is here to help. Call us at 1-877-HOPE123 (877-467-3123) or visit centerstone.org/connect-with-us/ to get connected with care.

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The Power of Diverse Friendships - Centerstone

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All healthy friendships require challenge for growth. When friends present ideas and thoughts that are different from each other, they can gain a fuller understanding of each other and the world as a whole. The same is even truer when you have more diverse friends.

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This short video discusses how life would be boring if we are all the same. Diversity means variety and having variety makes life exciting and fun. Diversity is something that should be celebrated.

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This interactive video and lesson discusses how City means being different. This could be gender, religion, culture, etc. Having diversity is great because it means we are all unique and makes life interesting.

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Diversity Lesson for Kids: Definition & Quotes - Video | Study.com

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Diversity is used to describe differences between people, such as how they look, how they worship, or the language they speak. Explore the concept…

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1. Students will fill out an All About Me worksheet where they are able to discuss what makes them unique. The categories talk about how they look, what they like, what they like to do, etc. After, the class is able to present their work sheet. Students will notice that everyone is different and it makes the classroom interesting and fun that we are all different.

2. Students will listen to the read aloud a friend for Henry. After the read aloud, Student will brainstorm ways they could make Henry feel included if he were to join the class. Students will discuss in small groups and then have a chance to share their ideas with the whole class.

3. Students will be partnered up with a student in second grade as a penpal. Students will write a letter once a month to their penpal. This practice their reading and writing while promoting friendship and the school beyond the first grade classroom.