Talking to Children About Friendship

Sometimes it's difficult to talk with your children about friendship. You may see them get teased or bullied, or you may see them playing alone when you come to pick them up from school. Use the Building Blocks Friends as examples of how to find—and how to be—a good friend.

Select the Building Blocks Know Kit Cards (below) that are appropriate for your child's age and situation. The best place to start is the set of "My Friends" cards. Each card asks a specific question to get you and your child talking about friendship.

Know Kit Cards Ages 3–4

	If your child often seems alone at school, pull out the "My Friends" card that shows Thurgood Turtle daydreaming about his friends (PDF). Use "Talk About It" on the back of the card to get the conversation going.
	Then, use the Character Cards (PDF) to have your child look for things he/she has in common with one of the friends; think about how he/she might start up a conversation with one of the friends; and identify the good things he/she can share with a friend.

Try using this discussion and action format with other "My Friends" cards (PDF):

When are you the leader?
Do you have an imaginary friend?
What do you do if a friend takes away your favorite toy?

Know Kit Cards Ages 5–6

If your child is getting teased or bullied, pull out the "My Friends" card that shows a picture of Wally Bear and Thurgood Turtle walking away from a bully. Use "Talk About It" on the back of the card to get the conversation going. Then, have your child ask other friends, siblings, or adults to help decide three things to do if a bully threatened him/her or a friend.

Try using this discussion and action format with other "My Friends" cards (PDF):

Why do you like each of your friends?
How do you make up with a friend?
Do you do everything your friends do?

Related Article: Your Kids and Their Friends

Quiz for Parents: Childhood Friendship Quiz

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Updated on 2/20/08