How to Teach the Qualities of a Good Friend

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

Mark Twain wasn’t too far off when he said that. We all know that kindness and the qualities of a good friend are crucial, especially in a world where our screens often replace face-to-face communication.

Yet teaching kindness isn’t as easy as it seems – at times, it can feel like a complex art form. Creating genuine friendships can feel as complex as solving a Rubik’s cube. Yet it’s worth it, since research shows that students who practice kindness experience increased levels of happiness and lower levels of stress.

So how do you teach the qualities of a good friend? 

How To Teach the Qualities of a Good Friend to Your Students

Here are a few ways to teach the qualities of a good friend to your students:

1. Building Empathy Through Role-Playing

Empathy is the secret ingredient of true friendship. It allows students to understand and share the feelings of others. To start, create scenarios where students have to step into someone else’s shoes and react to a situation.

For example, you might set up a scenario where one student is left out of a game. Ask other students to express how they think the left-out student might feel and brainstorm ways to include them. This helps students visualize and understand the emotional impact of exclusion, leading to more inclusive behavior in the future.

2. Celebrating Differences

Every student is unique, and celebrating these differences is another vital aspect of teaching kindness. Encourage students to share their hobbies, interests, and cultural backgrounds with the class, perhaps by organizing a “Day of Diversity.” 

Have students present something unique about themselves, be it a traditional dance, a favorite recipe, or a family tradition.

3. The Art of Active Listening

Ever sat through a conversation where you felt like the other person was just waiting for their turn to speak? Active listening is an essential quality in any good friend, and it’s something that can be taught. 

Try the “Listen and Repeat” exercise where one student shares a short story or experience, and their partner must repeat it back accurately. 

Music can also be a great medium for teaching active listening. Play songs with clear narratives and ask students to explain the story in the lyrics. 

4. Conflict Resolution

Introduce conflict resolution strategies such as “I” statements, where students express their feelings without blaming others.

Guide students through mediation techniques where they can calmly discuss their issues and find a compromise. 

Role-playing can also be useful here. Create conflict scenarios and have students practice resolving them in a controlled setting. 

5. Encouraging Acts of Kindness

Kindness is contagious, and small acts can create a ripple effect in your classroom. Encourage students to perform random acts of kindness, whether that’s helping a classmate with their backpack or sharing a snack.

As a visual reminder to your students, create a “Kindness Tree” in your classroom, where students can add leaves with acts of kindness they’ve done or witnessed. And be sure to recognize and reward kindness regularly!

6. Leverage Technology

Technology is often seen as a bane of our existence when it comes to teaching kindness and social skills, but it  can be a valuable tool. Use educational apps and games that promote empathy and social skills. These interactive tools engage students and reinforce the lessons you’ve taught in class.

Social media can also be used positively. Have students create a class blog or Twitter account where they share stories of kindness and friendship. 

7. Promote Peer Mentorship

Organize regular mentorship sessions where mentors and mentees engage in activities that promote kindness and empathy. 

This benefits the mentees while also helping the mentors develop leadership skills and a sense of responsibility.

8. Instilling a Growth Mindset

Teaching kindness requires a growth mindset – the belief that skills and abilities can be developed with effort and perseverance. 

Just like any other skill, kindness isn’t something your students will learn overnight. Teach your students to view their mistakes as learning experiences – not failures. 

Cultivate a classroom culture that fosters resilience and encourages your students to keep trying. When you praise them, focus on effort instead of outcomes. 

9. Model Empathy

To teach empathy, start by modeling empathetic behavior yourself. 

Have students act out different scenarios where they may need to empathize with a friend. For example, what should they do if a friend is sad because they lost a game? Encourage them to think about how they would feel in similar situations.

Media examples can also be helpful. Show clips from films like “Inside Out” or “Wonder” to illustrate different emotions and how friends can support each other through these feelings. 

10. The Art of Complimenting

Who doesn’t love a good compliment? Teaching students to give genuine compliments can significantly boost their social skills. Start with simple exercises where students write down three positive things about their classmates. 

These can be shared in a “compliment circle,” an activity in which  students learn to recognize and appreciate each other’s strengths.

TV shows like “The Magic School Bus” or “Sesame Street” often highlight characters complimenting each other. You might want to use these as examples to discuss what makes a compliment genuine and how it can positively impact friendships.

11. Teach Students How to Handle Conflicts

Conflicts are inevitable, but handling them gracefully is a skill that can be developed. Teach students to address conflicts directly yet kindly, focusing on “I” statements rather than blaming others. For instance, instead of saying, “You never listen,” they could say, “I feel ignored when I’m not heard.”

Board games are a playful way to teach conflict resolution. Engage students in group games and observe how they interact, then use these moments to discuss how they handled disagreements and how they might approach them better next time.

12. Inclusivity and Diversity

A true friend embraces diversity and practices inclusivity. Organize “cultural days” where students can share something unique about their background or traditions.

Utilize books and movies that celebrate diversity, like “The Colors of Us” or “Coco.” These stories can open discussions about the beauty in differences and how they enrich friendships.

13. Be a Good Role Model

Children often emulate the behavior of adults around them. Be mindful of the interactions you have in front of students. Show them how you handle your relationships with kindness and respect, whether it’s with colleagues or parents.

Invite guest speakers who embody the qualities of a good friend. Hearing real-life stories of kindness can inspire students and give them practical examples to follow.

The Takeaway

Teaching the qualities of a good friend can be challenging, but it’s worth it. In a world where division and conflict seem to be right around every corner, showing your students how to be kind can make a dramatic difference.

If you need help coming up with activities to teach your students the qualities of a good friend, don’t hesitate to reach out to Stanfield Company. We have all kinds of social skills programs that will help make a lasting impact on your students. 

So what do you say? Keep spreading kindness, one act at a time. Together, we can make a positive impact on our students’ lives.