The Foundation of Friendship: The Golden Rule
One simple lesson from Jesus to teach pre-schoolers about friendship is the Golden Rule. Tell them, ‘Treat others the way you want to be treated.’ Kids easily understand this and it resonates well. Encourage them to think about how they’d feel if someone did something nice or mean to them. Use puppets or role play to make it fun and interactive. Picture a toy dinosaur sharing its snacks with a teddy bear—cutest thing ever, right?
Kindness: A Simple Start
Kindness is the building block of any strong friendship. Jesus’ teachings are full of acts of kindness that children can imitate. Start small by asking them to help you bake cookies for a neighbor or draw a picture for a friend. Simple acts like these create a foundation of empathy and caring. And trust me, when kids see kindness as an adventure, they’re all in!
Sharing is Caring: Learning Generosity
If sharing was a sport, some kids would win Olympic gold, while others might need more practice. Jesus showed generosity in many ways. Teach your kids that sharing starts at home.
Get a big box of crayons and encourage them to share with their siblings or friends. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they grasp this concept. One tip: turn it into a sharing game. Kids love games!
Forgiveness: A Crucial Friendship Tool
Forgiveness is tough, even for adults. Yet, Jesus taught us that forgiving others is essential. When your child has a squabble with a friend, help them process their feelings. Encourage them to say, ‘I forgive you‘ and mean it. Puppet shows are great for this. Create a scenario where one puppet is mean, and the other forgives. The giggles you’ll get make it worthwhile.
Celebrating Differences: Embracing Diversity
Teaching your kids to celebrate differences can be eye-opening for them and incredibly rewarding. Jesus embraced everyone, and so can your kids. Introduce them to diverse cultures through books and toys that represent various ethnicities and abilities. Explain that differences make the world colorful and exciting. You can even throw a ‘celebrate our differences’ playdate with foods and music from different cultures. It’s fun and educational!
Practical Tips for Parents
Here’s some practical advice for you, amazing parents. Start a ‘friendship jar’ where kids can add a note each time they do a kind act or share with a friend. Read these notes together once a week to reinforce positive behavior.
Another idea: create a ‘friendship corner’ at home with books and toys that emphasize friendship values. Trust me, these little corners become favorite spots!