February 4th, 2015

PLEASE CLICK THE BLUE TITLE ABOVE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE – February is here and we are very excited to begin a month long focus on FRIENDSHIP! Each week in February, our school will focus on a variety of topics that help students develop positive relationship skills.

The week of February 2nd to the 6th will focus on how to make and keep friends as well as how to be a good friend. Discussing the topic of the week with your child at home will support the exciting learning opportunities happening in our classrooms.

While interacting with friends, children develop social skills such as problem solving, cooperating, communicating their wants and needs and showing kindness and empathy towards others. Choosing friends that will support you and help you grow as a person are key to a positive self image. These skills are fundamental in successful relationships throughout an individual’s life. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and educators to work together to foster these skills in our children.

During the upcoming week, please have a discussion with your children about what makes a good friend. Talk about how to be a good friend. You could discuss examples such as: good friends listen to each other, good friends respect each other, good friends can disagree without hurting each other, good friends treat each other the way they want to be treated. Did you know that parents are welcome to come to our school library and sign out books that support our friendship focus? In addition to using our school library, some helpful websites are:

http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/24345/teaching-kids-2
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/family-health-12/child-make-friends
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&id=1705&np=286
http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-help-your-child-make-friends_67771.bc

“What is a friend? I will tell you…it is someone with whom you dare to be yourself.” – Frank Crane

Categories: School Events