Friendship Skills
What are three traits of a good friend?
A good friend is kind, listens, includes others, or is trustworthy.
What’s a good way to start a conversation with someone new?
Ask a question, give a compliment, or mention something you have in common.
What does “reading the room” mean?
Noticing how people are acting and adjusting your behavior to match.
What is self-esteem?
It’s how much you believe in yourself and feel good about who you are.
What’s the difference between a small problem and a big problem?
A small problem is something you can handle quickly (like losing a pencil). A big problem needs help from an adult (like someone getting hurt).
(Role Play): Your friend forgot to save you a seat at lunch. Show us how you could handle it in a calm way.
“Hey, I was hoping to sit with you today. Maybe tomorrow?” instead of getting upset.
(Role Play): You see someone wearing a hoodie with your favorite sports team on it. Show us how you could start a conversation.
“Nice hoodie! Are you a big [team name] fan?”
(Role Play): You walk into a room where people are quiet and focused. Show us how you should act in that situation.
walking in quietly, sitting down, and staying focused instead of being loud.
Name one way you can build your self-esteem.
Practice positive self-talk, try new things, or focus on what you’re good at.
(Role Play): Your classmate accidentally bumps into you in the hallway. Show us how you could react appropriately.
Act out brushing it off and saying, “No worries!” instead of getting angry.
What should you do if a friend is being left out of a game at recess?
Invite them to play, ask others if they can join, or help them find another group.
What is a conversation driver, and what is a conversation stopper? Give an example of each.
A driver keeps the conversation going (like asking questions), while a stopper shuts it down (like ignoring or giving one-word answers)
How can you tell if someone is interested in the conversation you’re having?
They look at you, nod, ask questions, and respond with full sentences.
(Role Play): You’re struggling with a math problem in class. Show us how you would advocate for yourself.
saying, “I don’t understand this part. Can you explain it another way?”)
What are two strategies for solving a disagreement with a friend?
Talk it out calmly, compromise, take turns, or ask an adult if needed.
(Role Play): Your friend makes a joke that hurts your feelings. Show us how you would tell them in a respectful way.
“I know you didn’t mean to, but that joke hurt my feelings. Can we not joke about that?”
(Role Play): Your friend is telling a long story, and you want to add something. Show us how you can join in without interrupting.
waiting for a pause and saying, “That reminds me of a time when…”
(Role Play): You want to tell a funny story, but your friend looks sad. Show us what you could say or do instead.
Act out noticing their expression and saying, “Hey, you okay? You seem a little down.”
What should you do if someone teases you about something you like?
Stay confident, ignore them, or say, “That’s your opinion, but I like it."
(Role Play): You and your friend both want to play the same video game first. Show us how you could compromise.
“How about we take turns every 10 minutes?”
What’s the difference between a friend who is joking with you and a friend who is being mean?
A joke should be funny for both people, not just one. A real friend stops if you ask them to.
What does conversation sharing mean, and why is it important?
It means both people talk about their thoughts and experiences. It’s important so one person doesn’t take over the whole conversation.
Why is perspective-taking important in friendships?
It helps you understand how your actions affect others and how to be a better friend.
(Role Play): You want to sit with a new group at lunch but feel nervous. Show us how you could self-advocate and join them
“Hey, can I sit with you guys today?”
What is one mistake people make when trying to solve a conflict?
They might yell, blame the other person, or refuse to listen instead of staying calm.