Happy #NationalFriendshipDay, the day set aside to celebrate your friendships!
When children are little some often struggle to develop strong friendships and need to work on skills that help make them easy to like, easy to relate to and easy to play with. Such as the ability to share possessions and space, offering to help, or listening to others. Kids often need to develop a sense of ‘other’ so they can successfully negotiate the many social situations that they find themselves in.
Adults who work with or parent youth, can positively impact kids’ lives through helping them build good social skills. Deficits in social skills are linked to a myriad of problems for youth and adults, while healthy social skills are associated with many positive life outcomes. Therefore, it behooves us to teach social skills to young children. But where do we start?
We have put together a list of picture books to help you navigate some of themes of what it takes to be a good friend.
The Big Umbrella
by Amy Bates
This is a sweet book about inclusion, hospitality, and the welcoming the others around you. This open-ended picture book creates a natural springboard for discussion with your little ones.
The Rabbit Listened
by Cori Doerrfeld
Are you ready for a great introduction into comforting others? The book will mold your little readers into fine, upstanding citizens.
Horrible Bear
by Ame Dyckman
The book takes a look at tantrums, friendship, and forgiveness. About how to handle accidents, outbursts, manners...and the power of saying "I'm sorry."
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates
by Ryan Higgins
Here is a book that will lead to a humorous talk about boundaries that will help your children learn and grow.
I Walk With Vanessa
by Kerascoet
How can a single act of kindness lead to an entire community joining in to help? The book is filled with themes of acceptance, kindness, and strength.
Strictly No Elephants
by Lisa Mantchev
It is an inventive story that captures the power of friendship. Filled messages of inclusion and helping others.
Be Kind
by Pat Zietlow Miller
What does it mean to be kind? This book shows young people how to act with compassion, courteousness, and kindness.
After enjoying some of these books we encourage you to talk about the skills in the books you’ve read and give them some implementation ideas. Afterward, play with your kids! Interact with your kids through games and other means so you can help kids learn directly from you how to get on with others.
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