Volume 4, Issue 4
February 27, 2006
Friendship
WELCOME! to Education World's Early Childhood Newsletter. Every other week, I'll share some
ideas on a familiar teaching theme. Hopefully you will find a new activity idea or two -- or a new
twist on one of your old favorites! Since I know you are very busy, I'll be short and sweet -- like
most of activities I suggest.
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This
issue of our Early Childhood Education Newsletter focuses on friendship. As you help the young children
in your classroom learn to get along with one another and begin to make friends, you may want to
include some of our suggestions and activities in your lessons. Feel free to use our poem as a springboard
for discussion. Then invite children to draw a picture of a special friend they already have or
would like to meet.
A "Friendly" Chat
It's nice to have a friend
To talk to each day.
To laugh with me at story time,
At snack time, and at play.
It's fun to paint together,
And blow big bubbles, too.
It's good to know that you're around
If I am feeling blue.
At school, you say "Your picture is great."
I answer, "Yours is too."
I think it's really SUPER
That we are friends... Don't you?
Susan LaBella
Editor, Early Childhood Education Newsletter
A FRIENDSHIP WREATH
Trace the handprint of each child and let each child write his or her name on the handprint. Make
enough copies of each handprint so that every child gets a set of handprints: his own plus one of
each classmate. Give each child a paper plate with the center cut out. Help children glue their
sets of hands around the "wreath" and decorate it by gluing on ribbon or glitter. Display
children's wreaths with the title "Our Classroom Circle of Friends."
TEAMWORK WORKS!
Group students into pairs. Use a strip of fabric to loop one of each child's hands together. Give
each pair of students a large piece of paper and invite each student to choose a drawing utensil
such as colored chalk, paint, crayons, markers, and so on. Encourage each pair to work together,
using their free hands to create a piece of art. Display students' artwork and remind them that
teamwork can accomplish great things!
MAKE NEW FRIENDS
When children arrive in the morning, place a sticker on each one's shirt. Vary the stickers making
sure that only two children have the matching stickers. Gather children together and invite them
to find the child that has a matching sticker. Tell children that for the rest of the day they will
do all activities with their partner.
A FRIENDLY MIX
Ask each child to bring in a cup of a snack item such as fish crackers, pretzels sticks, dry cereal,
raisins, and so on. At group time let each child pour his item into a large bowl. Mix the dry item
well and invite students to enjoy their "friendly mix" at snack time.
CATCH THEM BEING FRIENDLY
Assemble a book containing as many sheets of drawing paper as you have students. Title the book
"Who's Being Friendly?" Each day assign a different student to be in charge of the "Friendly"
book. The student in charge watches for friendly deeds that occur around the classroom. He or she
then writes in the book the names of classmates who have been especially kind to another and draws
a picture to show one of those deeds. Continue until every student has a turn at being in charge.
Check
out the following Web sites for additional background and activities.
Circle
Time Feelings
Use this activity to help children explore and understand that people can have lots of different
feelings. http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/activities-circle.htm
1, 2, 3, You Are Friends With Me
Invite children to take part in this activity and song. http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/family-theme.htm
Music and Songs: Friendship
A super listing of songs about friendship. http://www.preschooleducation.com/sfriend.shtml
Getting to Know You: Friendship
Friendship songs and activities that are perfect for your classroom. http://atozteacherstuff.com/go/jump2.cgi?ID=4003
Friendship
Read Eric Carle's Do You Want to Be My Friend? and use this friendship activity with your
class. http://atozteacherstuff.com/pages/320.shtml
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