In the News

Every publication I have read since September 11 has discussed the horrific events that jolted all of our lives. This newsletter was not published in the Fall because it was not business as usual. I thought it was best to devote this issue to two issues that helped me get through the personal affects of this trauma.

Friendship is a gift we give to ourselves and to others. Promoting positives in young children's behavior is a gift a caregiver can give to her charges.

Wendy Sachs, President

Friendship A friend is a person with whom you enjoy sharing time. It has been said, "The only way to have a friend is to be a friend." But teaching how to be a friend is more difficult than it seems. Take a few minutes each day to discuss the concepts and feelings of friendship. Incorporate these concepts when the opportunity presents itself in routine conversation.

• A friend is a good listener.
• A friend makes you smile.
• A friend is helpful.
• A friend shares.
• A friend is someone who cares.
• A friend can be a boy or a girl.
• A friend likes you just the way you are.
• A friend is proud of you.

Help the children in your care to learn about the concept of friendship through hands on experiences. It is vitally important that you structure the learning environment so that children are exposed to ideas of negotiating and cooperation. Cooperation does not come easy at any age, so give opportunity to practice this skill. Here are some activities that you can use to help children understand the meaning of friendship. These activities can be exercised during planned play dates, impromptu playground gatherings or during structured group classes.

Friendship
Promoting Activities

• Introductions - Always introduce a child as a friend, "Here is our friend Max, " or "Meet our new friend Sara."
• Reading - Sharing a book is a wonderful time for friends to read together. Help children decide who will choose the book, hold the book, turn the pages and who will read.
• Jobs and Chores - Jobs can be done in partners, cleaning up, clearing and wiping the table.
• Pen Pals - Set up "pen pals" between cousins, family friends or one of your relatives. Depending on the age of the child, decide whether they should write a letter or draw a picture to their "pen pal".
• Picture Math - Using a camera (instant developing camera, if possible), take pictures of groups of varying numbers of children while at the playground or in a group play date or class. Make separate number cards and let the children match the number to the number of "friends" in the picture.
• Fingerprints - With an inkpad and white paper at a table, let the children make fingerprints. Using a magnifying glass, look at several people's fingerprints. Talk about how they may look similar on the outside, but our fingers are totally unique from one another.
• Friendship Bulletin Board - Collect pictures of friends, family members and pets, all of whom can be friends! Make a collage on the bulletin board or on a poster board.
• Mirror Game - Children can imitate playing the "mirror game." First make several mirrors to use in the game. Cover squares of cardboard with aluminum foil. Punch a hole in each top corner and thread a yarn through each hole, tying the ends to make a necklace. Have two children stand facing each other, one child wearing the mirror. The other child is asked to make movements such as pretending to comb hair, brush teeth, silly face and so on. The child wearing the mirror mimics the actions. Play music during this game varying the speed to encourage different types of motions. Suggest hopping, swimming, twirling, etc. After a while trade places giving each child the opportunity to have the mirror and be the mime.

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