Challenge accepted: Creating #tinyhuman versions of Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Phoebe, and Joey…
Friendships are SO important in our youngsters’ lives! They teach children many fundamental skills, such as acceptance, trust, and compassion, that will stay with them throughout life.
And, we know your child is already sweeter than any heart-shaped box of chocolates, but let’s take it one step further. Here are a few simple ways to help your child become a sweet, kind FRIEND too:
- Model Positive Social Behavior: Our kids are watching everything we say and do, even when we don’t think they’re paying attention. They notice all those quick check-ins with friends, kind interactions with restaurant and store staff, positive conflict resolutions at home, investment of time into your friendships, etc., and they will likely do the same. You are your children’s role model; they want to be just like you!
- Share the Qualities of a Good Friend: Kind, trustworthy, supportive, accepting, good listener, loyal… the list goes on. Bring these themes into everyday activities to keep them top of mind.
- Encourage Friendly Social Skills: When children are able to effectively communicate their needs and wants, they’re able to get along with others more easily. Other social skills can include friendly greetings, eye contact when speaking/listening, sharing toys or space, taking turns, etc. The benefits of friendly social skills are astronomical!
Social skills and conflict resolution are prominent themes in early childhood friendships. We’ve compiled 8 of our favorite activities that boost social skills. Sharing is caring, so voila!
- Mirror Mirror – Partner up! This is a great cooperative activity that lets kids be creative and come up with their own ideas. Participants will follow and “mimic” their partners’ movements as if looking in a mirror.
- Would You Rather (WYR) – Let’s dust off those conversational skills. You can play this game as a family or with friends. Ask random, fun questions to get them talking and listening to one another. Fun question ideas:
- WYR have a magic carpet that flies or your own personal robot?
- WYR find hidden treasure or a mermaid?
- WYR only be able to crawl on all fours or only be able to walk backward?
- WYR have a pet dragon or a whale?
- WYR be invisible or be able to stop time?
- WYR have 10 brothers or 10 sisters?
- WYR be a wizard or a superhero?
- Blindfold Obstacle Course – A game of communication, teamwork, and trust – Create a very simple, kid-friendly obstacle course in the backyard using household materials (e.g., outdoor pillow, plastic cups, empty cardboard box). Take turns blindfolding each other and trying to communicate how to safely complete the course.
- Feelings Scavenger Hunt – Create a few index cards of items for your child to find. This is a fun way to get them tuning into their emotions. Ideas:
- Something that makes you feel happy
- Something that you’re proud of
- Something or someone you feel grateful for
- Something that tells about a time you were brave
- Something you like to do when feeling silly
- Something that makes you feel loved
- Charades – A classic, but not to be overlooked! Your body plays a major role in how you communicate. Learning to properly convey and interpret messages nonverbally is just as important as verbal!
- Skittles Kindness Game – Whether you use Skittles or colorful fruits, use this game to get kids talking about kindness and friendship. Each child reaches into a bag to pick a Skittle or fruit, the color of which determines what question that child will answer.
- Red – What is one way you can be a good friend?
- Orange – How do you feel when someone is kind to you?
- Yellow – Tell me about a time someone was kind to you.
- Green – What is something nice you can say to someone that might make them feel happy?
- Purple – How can you show kindness to a family member, friend, or someone you might not know (yet)?
- Talent Show – Time to show off those hidden talents. This activity will boost kindness, taking turns, and camaraderie — plus, it’ll result in tons of smiles! After each “performance,” have the viewers pay a compliment, telling what they loved most about it.
- Telephone – Are your listening ears charged and ready? The first person starts the game by whispering a secret message into the ear of the next player. Keep passing the phrase around the circle of friends/family and see if it’s the same as it was in the beginning.
Looking to expand your child’s inner circle? Have your kiddo meet a new bestie (or a few!) at a My Gym location near you!