Introduction

In the realm of special education, genuine friendships play a crucial role in fostering healthy social interactions and overall well-being. Developing these skills in PreK students is essential for their social development and academic success.

Understanding Genuine Friendships

Genuine friendships involve common interests, trust, equal effort, and positive feelings between individuals. It requires making an effort to spend time with others, learning about them, and sharing personal experiences. Friendships help students enhance their social interactions, learning, and emotional well-being.

The Role of Specialists

Various specialists contribute to the development of genuine friendships in students:

• Speech-Language Pathologists: Help students improve their communication skills to foster better connections with others.
• Social Workers: Assist in teaching students appropriate social behaviors and coping strategies for maintaining friendships.
• Psychologists: Support students in understanding emotions and social cues, enabling them to build stronger relationships.
• School Counselors: Guide students in developing problem-solving skills and conflict resolution techniques to maintain healthy friendships.

IEP Goals for Genuine Friendships

Below are specific SMART IEP goals to improve genuine friendships in PreK students, along with strategies and activities for implementation:

Goal 1: Asking Questions

By [date], the student will independently ask peers three age-appropriate questions during a conversation in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Strategies and Activities: Role-playing, practicing open-ended questions, and using visual aids to prompt questions.

Goal 2: Remembering Facts About Friends

By [date], the student will recall and share two personal details about a peer during a conversation in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Strategies and Activities: Memory games, social stories, and creating a “friendship book” with peers’ information.

Goal 3: Equal Effort in Friendships

By [date], the student will demonstrate equal effort in a friendship by initiating play, sharing, and helping in 4 out of 5 opportunities.

Strategies and Activities: Social skills lessons, modeling, and reinforcing positive behaviors.

Implementing and Measuring Progress

For successful implementation and progress measurement, consider the following tips:

• Collaborate with specialists to create a cohesive approach.
• Regularly review and adjust goals based on student progress.
• Use data collection methods like checklists and anecdotal records.
• Involve parents and caregivers in the process.

Conclusion

Developing genuine friendships is vital for the social and emotional growth of PreK students. By creating effective IEP goals and collaborating with specialists, educators can help students build lasting connections. We encourage you to apply these IEP goals and explore more resources at Everyday Speech Sample Materials.