RC II-8 (4s and 5s)

Providing your child with opportunities to "branch out" and make new friends can be a fun and rewarding way to grow important social skills.

Materials: * Sky blue construction paper (your choice of size) * Green construction paper (enough to cut out one leaf per friend, plus enough for new friends to come) * Brown yarn * Liquid glue * Scissors * Felt tip marker for writing

Directions:
Provide a fun opportunity for your students to enjoy time together by "growing" individual Friend Trees. Begin by assisting each child in making a list of favorite friends, young and old. Use liquid glue to help each child trace a tree design onto a piece of blue paper. Before glue has time to dry, press brown yarn into the glue to outline or completely fill-in each tree trunk and branches. Allow glued yarn to dry. Use green paper to cut-out enough leaves for every name on each child's list, plus some extra leaves for future friends. Write one name on each leaf. Then glue leaves on the lower branches, working up and out. Keep supplies handy so each child can continue adding new friends until the Friend Trees are fully grown. Tip: Cut-out a heart design for tree leaves.
Talk about It: Ask them to share characteristics that make a friend fun to play with. Then think about ways new friends can get to know each other better like playing games, cooking, and watching cartoons. Share ideas about how friends can show each other they care.