Making an Keeping Friends

How to Be a Good Friend

Learning how to be a good friend is an intentional process that can be supported by adults who coach and model good behaviors.
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Friendships develop and change throughout our lifespan. Even at a young age when students find their first companions in play groups or at school, they rapidly gain an awareness of their environment as new skills flourish. Similarly, they become aware of their own preferences for activities and interests which, inevitably, forms the root of their values. As they progress into adolescence and young adulthood, students begin drawing conclusions about themselves and their values and goals which, in turn, is often reflected in their friendship choices. Encouraging students to reflect on the qualities of good friends allows them to seek healthy peer relationships while fostering self-awareness.

How Do Friendships Develop

Making friends can seem straightforward from an objective standpoint but is, in fact, a complex series of social navigations that requires planning and care. Young students often express an awareness that making new friends isn’t as simple as it should be, and it seems that from an early age students understand that there are nuances to the layers of friendship, inclusion, and social norms. There are several social skills that must be practiced in order for friendships to develop and thrive.

Friendship & Relationship Skills PowerPoints

Friendships

Top Tips for Making Friends

Being Assertive