Making and Keeping Friends

Friends are important to all of us. As your child grows up, he or she will have many chances to make new friends. The older your child gets, the more important friends become. Share with your child how you have made friends and what you like about them. By talking and listening to your child you are helping them to develop the most important relationship skill:communication.
Here are some simple skill steps to make a new friend you can share with your child:

• Pick a time and place when the person is not busy.
• Say "Hi"
• Talk about something you have in common or say something positive you have noticed about the student. Maybe you both like to play the same game at recess.
• Tell the other student alittle bit about yourself.
• Ask questions about the other student.
• Suggest doing something together, like having lunch, playing 4 square, basketball.