Friendship Skills
To develop positive friendship skills and understanding of how to be a good friend.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Personal, Social & Emotional
- Learning area: Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Level: EYFS 3-4
Objectives
- Forms friendships with peers
- Shows kindness to others
- Resolves conflicts with support
- Includes others in play
Materials
- Friendship books and stories
- Role play resources
- Friendship display
- Problem-solving cards
Instructions
TEACHING WHAT FRIENDS DO: Explicitly teach friendship behaviours: 'Friends share toys. Friends take turns. Friends help each other. Friends are kind. Friends play together.' Use pictures and discussion.
READING FRIENDSHIP BOOKS: Choose books about friendship: 'Have You Filled a Bucket Today?', 'Enemy Pie', 'A Sick Day for Amos McGee'. Discuss: 'How did they show they were friends? What makes a good friend?'
FACILITATING FRIENDSHIPS: Help children connect: 'Maya, I noticed you and Jayden both love dinosaurs. Maybe you could build a dinosaur world together?' Support children who struggle to enter play.
TEACHING ENTERING PLAY: Some children don't know how to join in. Teach strategies: 'Watch what they're playing, then ask "Can I play?" or offer to help: "I could be the doctor's helper!"' Practice through role play.
ADDRESSING EXCLUSION: When children say 'You can't play', address it firmly but kindly: 'In our setting, we include everyone. How can we make space for Omar?' Teach that exclusion hurts.
PROBLEM-SOLVING TOGETHER: When conflicts arise, guide through resolution: 'What happened? How did that make you feel? What could we do to fix it?' Use scripts: 'I didn't like it when... I felt... Next time, please...'
CELEBRATING FRIENDSHIP: Notice and praise friendship behaviours: 'I saw you share the cars with Bella—that was so kind and friendly!' 'You helped Marcus when he was upset—what a good friend!'
MODELLING FRIENDSHIP: Show children what friendship looks like between adults. Let them see you being kind, helping, sharing, and resolving disagreements respectfully with colleagues.