Making Friends: 99 Social Skills For Kids
What’s inside...
This book offers 99 rules developed from years of research, designed to help children learn how to make and maintain friendships. It is organized for easy reference throughout a lifetime and can be read by children alone or with their parents. The book covers practical and realistic strategies for engaging peers, forming groups of friends, maintaining relationships, and avoiding social mistakes, providing everything a child needs to successfully navigate social interactions.
Discussion points
What is one new way you learned to join a conversation with others from the book?
Can you tell me about a time you used one of the skills from the book to make a new friend?
Which skill do you think is the most important for making friends and why?
How would you help a friend who feels shy about meeting new people?
What's your favorite tip from the book and how do you plan to use it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to share personal experiences related to the social skills discussed in the book.
After reading, practice the new skills together by role-playing different social scenarios.
Praise your child for discussing their feelings and experiences openly, reinforcing a positive learning environment.
Make connections to the child’s daily life and discuss how they can apply specific skills at school or in other social settings.
Ask open-ended questions to allow your child to explore the themes of the book deeper, facilitating critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The book uses scenarios where characters understand and share the feelings of others, helping kids see different perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can use empathy to build stronger friendships by being considerate and understanding towards their friends' feelings.
Example Lesson: Communication
Explanation: Through interactive dialogues, the book teaches children effective ways to express themselves and listen to others.
Real-World Application: This skill helps children articulate their thoughts and feelings clearly and attentively listen to others in school or in play.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Characters in the book face social challenges and solve them through critical thinking and collaboration.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to approach conflicts with peers as opportunities to think critically and resolve disagreements amicably.
Example Lesson: Respect for diversity
Explanation: The book highlights characters from various backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and respect for different cultures and opinions.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to embrace diversity, enhancing social harmony and peer relationships at school and in their community.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Scenes in the book show characters taking responsibility for their actions, which leads to positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of being accountable for their actions, which is crucial for personal development and trust-building.