How to Make & Keep Friends: Tips for Kids to Overcome 50 Common Social Challenges
Making Friends Series
on Goodreads (60)
What’s inside...
From the best-selling authors who wrote the book on friendship, here is their first book in the How to Make and Keep Friends series for children in grades 3-6. Social-emotional learning experts, Donna Shea and Nadine Briggs, have more than 30 years of combined experience in social coaching children. Their books teach children to use simple and proven strategies to increase social success. How to Make & Keep Friends: Tips for Kids to Overcome 50 Common Social Challenges offers social skills advice presented in a reference guide format. The book contains sections and lists to quickly discover tips and strategies on a specific topic or social situation where help is needed. While all children will benefit from the tips in the book, it has been especially beneficial to children with special needs that impact their socialization abilities. Included are simple to implement and immediately actionable tips to navigate everyday social situations that can be challenging or awkward for kids, such as: Joining a group, Conversation skills, Handling strong emotions, Dealing with rejection and being excluded, Being a good playdate guest and host, Working things out & sharing, Maintaining personal space, Playground and recess success, and much more! The book includes an explanation for kids of 'why' learning each of these skills is essential along with practice questions to inspire discussion and role-playing of different social situations.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
158 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Can you think of a time when you faced a challenge similar to one in the book? How did you handle it?
Which tip from the book do you think could be most helpful for you? Why?
How do you feel when you make a new friend? Are there things from the book that could make it easier?
What does being a good friend mean to you? How does the book's advice help you be a better friend?
If you could give advice to a character in the book, what would you tell them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own experiences related to the book’s themes, making it a two-way conversation. Validate your child’s feelings and experiences as they discuss the challenges. Encourage them to come up with possible solutions or alternatives using tips from the book. Connect the discussion to real-life scenarios that your child might encounter, enhancing the relevance of the conversation. Praise their insights and understanding, reinforcing their confidence in handling social situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The book guides children on understanding others' feelings, helping them step into their peers' shoes.
Real-World Application: Children can apply empathy in real-life situations by considering friends' perspectives during conflicts or when making decisions together.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Through various scenarios, children learn practical strategies to resolve common social issues.
Real-World Application: This skill can be used in school when working on group projects or resolving playground disputes.
Example Lesson: Communication
Explanation: The book emphasizes the importance of clear and respectful communication, teaching children how to express themselves and listen to others.
Real-World Application: Children can practice these communication skills during group activities and day-to-day interactions with family and friends.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Children learn how to handle rejection and setbacks positively, fostering a growth mindset.
Real-World Application: This lesson is crucial during competitive activities or academic challenges, helping children to persevere and maintain confidence.
Example Lesson: Inclusivity
Explanation: The book promotes inclusiveness, encouraging kids to be mindful of including others in activities and conversations.
Real-World Application: This can lead to more inclusive play at school or in neighborhood groups, ensuring no one feels left out.