Nurturing Friendships: A Vital Lesson in Early Childhood
Hey Reader!
“OK, friends, time to clean up and get ready for lunch.” “All my friends need to line up to go to Music.” I used phrases like this in my classroom regularly! Have you used them too? Maybe you’ve also heard an upset child say something like “You’re not my friend anymore!” as they stomp their feet and put on their mean eyebrows!
I wonder if our little “friends” actually know what the word “friend” means? Today I just want to share a couple of ideas for nurturing friendship in early childhood. Friendship is a reflection of God’s love manifested in human connections. Through simple teachings rooted in Christian values, we can guide children in cultivating empathy, kindness, and forgiveness – the cornerstones of enduring friendships. So how do we do this?
- Model appropriate sharing with children. Use phrases like “When we share our things, we’re showing God’s love to our friends.”
- Help children resolve conflict. Instead of just sending someone to time-out or separating children who have a conflict, help them “work it out.” Give them the appropriate words to say and then support their discussion. For example: “Tommy, tell Johnny that it made you feel sad that he knocked over your block tower.” “Johnny, ask Tommy what you can do to make it better.” Support the conflict resolution discussion rather than just forcing an apology.
- Encourage showing empathy and care. Make cards for students who might be out sick. Keep a “picture drawing” station open all day every day so students can “make a picture” for someone who might be feeling sad.
- Find Bible stories of friends working together to honor and obey God. Some examples: Jonathan and David, Jesus and the Disciples, Ruth and Naomi.
- Memorize scripture together! Proverbs 17:17: “A friend loves at all times.” is a great one! Add some sign language to make it stick and you’re all set! Then use that scripture to remind each other that we can “love at all times” because Jesus loves us at all times too!
Together, let’s sow the seeds of friendship, nurturing this young generation to show the boundless love of Christ in their relationships with their friends!
Cheering you on this week!
-Your ECCN team
P.S. Question for you: What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in your classroom right now? We’d love to hear from you!
| My biggest challenge right now is… |
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
