“Teaching Kids The Power in Friendships”
Summer Fun has now begun and what a wonderful way for children to make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold. My Girl Scout days remembered! I learned a lot during this time and made lasting friendships, too.
At Characters of Character, we believe that character development begins with the heart—and friendship is where it starts. Helping children build strong, positive relationships boosts their confidence, empathy, and emotional health.
Think About Why Friendship Matters:
Friendship helps children feel connected and valued and building friendships with others helps them develop their social and emotional skills, too.
It teaches key character traits: respect, kindness, patience, empathy, and trust. After all, Friendship Frog preaches that “Friends are Honest!”
Kids will learn who they trust, who they can share thoughts with, and as we well know, it’s a learning process but one worth investing in!
These Tips for Kids Help Them Learn How to Be a Good Friend”
Be a good listener.
Be present when your friend is talking using your eyes and your ears.
Share and take turns will prove you are respectful and thoughtful.
Include others, build your circle of friends!
Use kind words and compliments and always greet others, be welcoming this helps other feel valued.
As Friendship Frog says, “Friends are HONEST” and this value certainly builds lasting friendships.
“Have a Riveting summer my friends!”
Summertime is a time to be creative with the kids! A simple bucket of water and chalk or watercolor paints to create on the sidewalk or driveway (safety first, go over the rules, not behind cars, etc.) A paint roller or paint brush with water alone is fun for the kids to create things. I did this with a friends child and it kept him busy for quite a long time. When the bucket was empty he could fill it back up again! Draw with chalk one day and wash it off the next for a clean slate. When we were kids we did all this in the street we lived in. those days are long gone, however, the simplicity of it remains. Practice writing the alphabet, words or even draw me, Friendship Frog! Have a Riveting summer my friends!
Love,
Friendship Frog
Communication is important with our children, during the summer and all year round. Ask them about their friends and have conversations with your children. Remember your kids are watching and are listening to you as well, so when you are with your friends, are your conversations healthy, are you supportive of one another and do you listen when they are talking?
I’m a firm believer that when you truly engage your kids in activities and conversations they have no choice but to learn! Try this, a Friendship Challenge. Have your kids do one kind thing for a friend each day of the week and ask them how it made them feel, and how it made their friend feel? Visit a blog on friendships with more ideas and resources for you and your kids here. There is even a song for Friendship Frog!!
Take this a step further and have your kids write down this experience in a notebook, (Friendship Frog has a few on Amazon) If they struggle with friendships down the road have them bring out their notebook to refresh their memory and even think about new ways to build honest friendships. Reinforce letter writing to a friend, this is a lost art if you ask me! After all, a true friend is a gift!
Learn more about Friendship Frog on our website here.
TELL me and I forget, TEACH me and I remember, INVOLVE me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin and approved by Friendship Frog and Miss Joni
Characters of Character is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a firm foundation for children to establish strong civic values. Your support helps us to continue to make a difference in the life of a child.