Ways to Welcome
What’s inside...
A welcome can be warm or cold, shy and quiet, or big and bold. It can be a simple offering, a smiling face that lights up an unfamiliar place. This picture book highlights the importance of welcoming friends from everywhere and showing care, creating a better world. With small acts of kindness, you might just make a new friend. This timeless book is perfect for kids and parents to enjoy together, again and again.
Discussion points
What are some ways you like to welcome new friends?
How did the characters in the book show kindness to others?
Why do you think it's important to make others feel welcome?
Can you think of a time you felt welcomed? How did that make you feel?
What is one new way you could welcome someone tomorrow?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing, maintain eye contact and show genuine interest in your child’s responses to demonstrate active listening.
Encourage your child to relate the book’s scenarios to their personal experiences to deepen their understanding of the theme.
Praise your child for their thoughts and ideas, fostering a positive conversation environment.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child’s responses to keep the conversation flowing and show engagement with their ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness and empathy
Explanation: In 'Ways to Welcome,' various scenarios depict characters demonstrating acts of kindness and understanding towards others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by offering a helping hand or a kind word to their peers or family members, fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment.
Example Lesson: Building community through greetings
Explanation: The story shows different ways to greet people, which emphasize the role of warm welcomes in building a sense of community and connection.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice different greetings with friends and neighbors, enhancing social bonds and promoting a welcoming community spirit.
Example Lesson: Respecting cultural diversity
Explanation: The book portrays a diverse range of characters with different backgrounds, highlighting the importance of respecting and celebrating cultural differences.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and embrace diversity in their own communities, which encourages inclusivity and respect for everyone.
Example Lesson: The power of smiles
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters use smiles as a universal sign of friendship and acceptance, illustrating its simplicity and effectiveness in communication.
Real-World Application: Children can use smiles to communicate friendliness and acceptance, making new friendships easier and more joyful.
Example Lesson: Cooperation and teamwork
Explanation: Several scenes show characters working together to achieve a common goal, teaching the value of cooperation and teamwork.
Real-World Application: By collaborating with peers in school projects or group activities, children can achieve greater outcomes and learn the importance of teamwork.