The Art of Friendship

Help your children learn "The Art of Friendship"
Learn along with them if you were not able to learn this when you were a child!

Friendships are important in our lives.
Friends may be like us or dissimilar and may be good and valuable friends for many reasons.

Discuss these friendship qualities together:

I am a good and worthwhile friend.
I can keep promises.
I do not criticise friends behind their back.
I return things I borrow.
I lend willingly to my friends.
I stand up for a friend who is being criticised.
I say "Thank You" when a friend is helpful.
I apologise when I let down or inconvenience a friend.
I listen to my friend's troubles.
I do some meaningful things for my friend.
I can keep my friend's confidences.
My conversation is thoughtful and considerate.
I can, and sometimes do, take the iniative in greeting people.
I think in advance of things to say.
I volunteer information about what I have been doing, thinking, feeling, watching or reading.
I can, and sometimes do, express my differering opinion.
I ask other people questions/for their opinion.
I listen thoughtfully to their responses without interrupting.
I draw shy people into the conversation.
I say aloud when I agree with what someone has said.
I say what part of the expressed sentiment I agree with even if I disagree with other parts of what they have said.
I can, and do, tease and joke in an appropriate friendly way.