Friendship Forest Game Board Friendship Forest
A Brave Explorer's Game
Brave Explorer
START
Brave Talk "I can be brave alone!"
Wave to a new friend!
Brave
Tell one thing you like to do!
Listen to Teacher When teacher says "Not Now", take 3 breaths.
Brave Talk "I'll give them space to learn. I'll see them at recess!"
Ask: "Can I play too?"
Brave
Brave Talk "I am a good friend to ME!"
Tell one thing you are good at!
FINISH!
Roll the die and move! If you land on a Blue space, say the Brave Talk together. If you land on Orange, do a Brave Action!
Exploring new friendships, one step at a time!
Counseling Resource: Social Flexibility Series
Friendship Galaxy Sorting Activity Friendship Galaxy
Mapping my world of friends
Explorer:
Date:
Our Friendship Galaxy has many stars! Some are very close, and some are further away. Draw or write the names of your friends in the circles where they belong.
Outer Space: New Friends & Classmates
Orbit: Good Friends
Sun: Best Friends
People I love to spend time with most!
Brave Thinking
Look at the Outer Space circle. Who is someone new you could say "Hi" to today?
When my "Sun" friends are busy, I can fly to a different planet and play with someone in my orbit!
Brave Choices Visual Guide Brave Choices Guide
My Social Explorer's Toolkit
Brave Talk Scripts
Let's read these together in our "Brave Voice"!
When I feel disappointed:
"It's okay to feel sad, but I can still be brave!"
When my friend is working:
"I'll give my friend space to focus and learn. I'll see them at recess!"
When my teacher says "Not now":
"My teacher is helping me be a brave student. I can do this!"
Explorer Challenge
Color in a star every time you follow teacher directions and use your Brave Talk!
The "Not Now" Map
1
Listen to Teacher
When Teacher says "Not now," take 3 deep, slow breaths.
2
Use Brave Talk
Say: "I'll give them space to learn. I'll see them later!"
3
Your Desk Mission
Walk back to your own desk or learning spot.
Explorer Tip:
Every Explorer is Brave! 🌿🚀🌟
Brave Frontiers Facilitation Guide Counselor Facilitation Guide
Brave Friend Frontiers
Social Flexibility & Peer Attachment Session
30-40 Minute Session
Grades 1-3 (Targeted 2nd)
Session Objectives
Identify friend levels using the Friendship Galaxy sorting activity.
Practice "Brave Talk" self-talk strategies for following teacher directions.
Navigate social disappointment (teacher-directed) in a gamified context.
Materials Needed
Friendship Forest Board
Friendship Galaxy Map
Brave Choices Guide
1 Die & 2 Game Pieces
Step-by-Step Facilitation
1. Galaxy Mapping (10 min)
Visual Sorting
Use the Friendship Galaxy map. Emphasize that "Sun" friends are favorite peers, but during learning time, they are stars we give space to.
2. Brave Talk Choral Read (5 min)
Repetition
Introduce the Brave Choices Guide . Practice the script for teacher-directed boundaries: *"I'll give my friend space to focus and learn. I'll see them at recess!"*
3. Friendship Forest Game (15-20 min)
Application
Land on "Not Now" spaces (Space 5). Practice the Not Now Map . Emphasize that "Not Now" is a teacher direction to return to their "Desk Mission."
Handling Non-Compliance
When a teacher says "Not now," the student may shut down. Refer to Step 1 of the map: Breathe. Do not repeat the instruction immediately; let the student process the "Brave Talk" script.
Session Closure
"You were a brave explorer today! Remember, when your 'Sun' star is busy, your desk mission is the most important thing for your brain to grow."
Brave Explorer Desk Cards Teacher Tip: Cut these out and tape one to the student's desk as a visual reminder.
Brave Explorer
My Brave Talk
"I'll give my friend space to focus and learn. I'll see them at recess!"
1
Take 3 deep breaths.
2
Say my Brave Talk.
3
Go to my desk mission.
Brave Explorer
My Brave Talk
"I'll give my friend space to focus and learn. I'll see them at recess!"
1
Take 3 deep breaths.
2
Say my Brave Talk.
3
Go to my desk mission.
Brave Explorer
My Brave Talk
"I'll give my friend space to focus and learn. I'll see them at recess!"
1
Take 3 deep breaths.
2
Say my Brave Talk.
3
Go to my desk mission.
Brave Explorer
My Brave Talk
"I'll give my friend space to focus and learn. I'll see them at recess!"
1
Take 3 deep breaths.
2
Say my Brave Talk.
3
Go to my desk mission.
