As educators, we play a crucial role in guiding our students to form healthy, supportive friendships. This blog post will provide an overview of the skills needed for students to choose good-fit friends, as well as a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills that students can practice to strengthen their friendship-building abilities. By incorporating principles of Social-Emotional Learning, we can help our students build strong, lasting connections with their peers.

Introduction

When students choose friends, it’s essential to find someone who is a good fit. New friendships take time and effort, so it’s important to stop and think before starting a friendship. Students should look for friends who have common interests, take the same classes, or have a similar sense of humor. Often, friendships form based on shared experiences, such as having classes together, participating in the same clubs or sports, or family connections. As students choose friends, they should consider those with personalities that align with theirs, and who exhibit similar behavior in school. Good friends don’t lead us into trouble and treat adults and peers with respect. Close friends aren’t necessarily identical in every way; it’s okay to have different personalities, clothing styles, or backgrounds as long as there are shared interests and values.

No-Prep Activity

A simple, no-prep activity to help students understand the concept of choosing good-fit friends is called “Friendship Circles.” Divide your students into small groups and ask each group to sit in a circle. Instruct them to take turns sharing something they look for in a friend. Encourage them to listen actively to their peers and find commonalities in their responses. After each student has shared, ask the group to discuss the similarities they discovered and how these qualities contribute to good-fit friendships. This activity encourages students to reflect on their values and preferences while also promoting active listening and communication skills.

Discussion Questions

• What are some qualities you look for in a good-fit friend? Why are these qualities important to you?
• How can you tell if a potential friend is a good fit or not? What signs or behaviors can you observe?
• Can you think of a time when you chose a friend who wasn’t a good fit? What did you learn from that experience?
• How can having good-fit friends contribute to your overall well-being and success in school?
• What can you do to be a good-fit friend to others? How can you display the qualities you seek in your friends?

Related Skills

Beyond choosing good-fit friends, students can benefit from practicing other related skills, such as:

• Active listening: Paying close attention to what others are saying and responding thoughtfully.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which can help build strong connections.
• Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements or misunderstandings in a respectful and constructive manner.
• Assertiveness: Communicating one’s needs, boundaries, and feelings in a confident, respectful way.
• Resilience: Bouncing back from setbacks or challenges in friendships, while maintaining a positive outlook.

Next Steps

To further support your students in developing strong friendship-building skills and incorporating Social-Emotional Learning principles, sign up for free samples of skill-building resources and activities at Everyday Speech. These materials can be easily integrated into your lesson plans, providing a comprehensive approach to teaching students how to choose good-fit friends and create lasting, supportive relationships.