Friendship Skills
True or False: It's good manners to greet people when they walk into the room.
True.
It is okay to talk with your mouth full of food?
No, it is not okay. It is gross and can make others uncomfortable.
If someone engages with you while your mouth is full, you can wait to response until after you swallow the food.
If you notice someone's mouth is full of food, you can wait to engage with them until they appear ready to respond.
Who is in your purple private circle?
ME
You break your pencil during class. Is this a small, medium, or big problem?
Small
You are walking and see a big puddle of water on the floor in the hallway. What should you do?
Tell a staff member right away so no one slips!
What makes someone a friend?
Liking similar things
Trust
Kindness
Respect
If your face or hands get dirty while you're eating, what should you do to keep clean?
Wipe/wash your mouth with a napkin.
Wipe your hands with a napkin or wash your hands with soap and water.
Name two people that are in your Big Blue Hug circle
Mom, Dad, sister, brother, grandparent, etc.
True or False: Going to the School Police Officer because someone took your seat at lunch is an expected reaction.
False
True or false: It is okay to touch other peoples' belongings.
FALSE. It is not socially acceptable to touch other peoples' belongings without permission.
If you want to touch someone else's belongings, you can ask and wait until you're given permission.
True or False: It's OK to take other people's things.
False: You should always ask if you can use something that doesn't belong to you.
True or False: When I finish a task or activity, I can make all the noise I want.
FALSE. It is expected to respect everyone and wait quietly for everyone else to finish.
You can always offer to help your peers that are still working!
Name two people in your Yellow Handshake circle
Friends, classmates, teachers, coaches, etc.
When do you need to get professional help? Small, medium, or big problem?
Big problem
Why should you keep your hands and feet to yourself?
It is expected to maintain appropriate personal space between yourself and others. Invading others' personal space can make them feel uncomfortable.
It is safe and expected to keep your hands and feet to yourself!
True or false: It is okay to ignore people you aren't friends with.
FALSE. It is not socially acceptable to ignore people you are not friends with.
You are not expected to be friends with everyone at the center, but it is expected that you show kindness and respect to your peers regardless!
If someone has upset you, what should you do?
Try to keep myself calm, ask to take a break, and/or speak with a therapist!
What does the word "consensual" mean?
Both people agree and are OK with something (e.g., giving a hug)
Name one strategy you can use for a medium-sized problem.
Take a break, ask a teacher for help, ask a parent for help, etc.
True or false: I should stay with the group even when I know where we're going.
TRUE. It is important to remain with the group with a therapist! Even if you know where we're going, it is very unsafe to separate from the group!
True or false: If someone does something mean to me, I should do it back to them?
FALSE. Being mean back will only make the problem worse. Try to use your words and be a problem-solver. If you cannot resolve the conflict on your own, ask a therapist for help!
True or false: When I use materials/equipment from the classroom, I put them back where I found them after I'm finished using them.
TRUE. It is expected that all materials and equipment be returned after you use them.
If we do not return materials/equipment or if we put them somewhere other than where I found them, they may get lost and we would no longer be able to use them.
Name one of the three T's in the Circles curriculum
Touch, Talk, and Trust
Someone accidentally bumps into you in the hallway. What is one expected reaction?
Keep walking
Say, "It's OK."
Use calm words
What is one way that you deal with a person who is not saying kind things to you?
You can tell them to stop, let them know that what they are saying is mean, you can remind yourself that you do not have to listen or believe what they say.
Tell a therapist if you are having trouble dealing with the situation on your own!