Teaching children about friendship through literacy is an invaluable tool for their social and emotional development. Whether they are just beginning preschool or navigating the complexities of high school, understanding how to build and maintain friendships is crucial. Books provide a safe, non-confrontational way for children to explore these relationships and learn from the experiences of fictional characters.
When children read stories about friendship, they are exposed to various scenarios where characters face similar issues to their own. This approach allows them to see how others handle conflicts and challenges without feeling directly targeted or judged. For example, if a child is struggling with a new friendship at school, reading a story about characters dealing with similar issues can prompt conversations about their own experiences. This method helps children to articulate their feelings and thoughts more comfortably, as the discussion centres around the story rather than their personal situation.
For younger children, picture books are particularly effective. Titles for which we have created sets of book activities include A Friend for Henry by Jenn Bailey and Mika Song. This Schneider Award winning book is a story of one child's struggle to make friends in pre-school and how Henry's being on the autism spectrum means his best efforts are often misunderstood by his small classmates.
In Cat Rabbit’s 2022 Notable Early Childhood Book “How To Make Friends” children learn about not losing their own individuality just to fit in with those around them and that being “quirky” can be advantageous when trying to make friends.
These stories lay the foundation for understanding basic social concepts and the importance of being a good friend. With more than 45 sets of book activities around friendship you are sure to find one to suit your needs on our website by using the tag “friendship” when searching our book activities.
As children grow, chapter books offer deeper insights into the dynamics of friendship. Books like the classic "Charlotte’s Web" by E.B. White teach about loyalty and sacrifice, while "11 Birthdays" by Wendy Mass shows that friends can grow, change and friendships develop as children grow up. These narratives help children understand that friendships can be diverse and that it is normal to work through differences.
For older children, particularly those experiencing significant life changes such as starting a new school, books can provide both comfort and guidance. "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio, deals with acceptance and kindness, while Lynette Noni’s Raelia series explores the strength of friendship and what being a good friend means. These stories reassure children that feeling nervous or sad is normal and that forming new friendships is always possible, even in challenging circumstances.
Reading about friendships not only addresses specific social situations but also teaches essential social skills. Through characters’ interactions, children learn about empathy, effective communication, listening, and conflict resolution. They observe the importance of apologising, the joy of reconciliation, and the significance of supporting a friend in need.
Using friendship related books and the resources we have created, parents and teachers can discuss the message of each book, ask open-ended questions, and encourage children to express their thoughts. This can deepen children’s understanding and personal connection to the story and allow them to draw parallels between the story and real-life situations which helps to make these lessons more relevant and tangible.
Integrating stories about friendship into children’s reading is a powerful strategy for helping them navigate their social world with confidence and kindness. By choosing books that reflect their experiences and challenges, children are equipped with the tools they need to build and maintain meaningful, supportive relationships and by using active learning through role-playing scenarios from the book or creating new ones to reinforce social skills in a practical way you can provide your children with an easy way to Learn From Play.
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