Making Friends: The Learning Focus
Making friends can begin with noticing another child’s play, offering a greeting, or asking to join. An invitation opens a possibility; it does not obligate another child to accept or form a friendship.
A Practical Starting Point
Use a fictional building-game scene. Model ‘Can I build with you?’ and discuss how to listen to the response. Offer another route, such as asking an adult to help introduce a shared activity. Let children rehearse with puppets or pictures without making them approach a peer before they feel ready.
Choosing Appropriate Support
Accept gestures, communication devices, and quiet participation. Avoid teaching that eye contact, handshakes, or hugs are necessary to be friendly. Discuss how to respond respectfully to ‘not now’ and how an adult can help with exclusion. The goal is accessible invitations and responses, not judging how many friends a child has.
Distinguish Related Learning Goals
- Sharing & Taking Turns: Discuss simple ways to use shared materials fairly, ask for a turn, and coordinate play with another child.
- Cooperative Play & Teamwork: Recognize ways peers contribute different ideas and actions toward a common activity with adult guidance.
- Kindness & Helping Others: Choose a caring response in a familiar classroom or playground situation, while respecting another person’s wishes.