Friendship Playbook Storybook
THE FRIENDSHIP
PLAYBOOK
A Guide to Making and Keeping Friends
Property of:
What is a Friend?
Friends are people we like to hang out with. They make us feel happy and safe.
A friend might be someone in my class, someone on my street, or someone I play games with.
Friends share smiles and laughs.
Friends help each other out.
"Having a friend means I have a partner for fun adventures!"
Starting a Chat
When I want to talk to a friend, I can start with a "Hello" or a question.
1
Wait for a pause.
I wait until they aren't busy or talking to someone else.
2
Look near them.
I look at their face or chest so they know I'm talking to them.
3
Pick a "Starter Sentence".
Chat Starters to Try:
"Hi! What are you playing?"
"I like your shirt! Where did you get it?"
"That looks cool. Can I watch?"
Kindness is Key
Being kind means thinking about how my friend feels. It's like giving them a small gift with my words or actions.
Kind Words
- "Great job!"
- "Do you want to go first?"
- "Thank you for sharing."
Kind Actions
- Holding the door.
- Waiting for a friend.
- Giving a high-five.
PRO TIP
"When I am kind, people feel good being around me. This makes them want to be my friend even more!"
Sharing & Taking Turns
Games and toys are more fun when we share. Sometimes I have to wait, and that's okay!
Use a Timer
If it's hard to stop, we can set a timer for 5 minutes each.
Trade-Off
"You use the red controller now, and I'll use it next time."
"I will get my turn soon. Waiting is hard, but it makes my friend happy."
Flexible Thinking
Sometimes, plans change. Maybe my friend wants to play Tag, but I wanted to play LEGO.
This is a chance to use my "Flexible Brain."
Stuck Thinking
"I ONLY want to play LEGO. If we don't play LEGO, I'm going to be mad."
Flexible Thinking
"We can play Tag for 10 minutes, and then we can play LEGO together!"
The Friendship Deal:
"First your choice, then my choice."
Playing the Game
In games, someone always wins and someone always loses. Both are okay! The most important part is having fun together.
If I Win...
- • Say "Good game!"
- • Don't brag or boast.
- • Ask "Want to play again?"
If I Lose...
- • Take a deep breath.
- • Say "Nice job!"
- • Remind myself: "It's just a game."
"Being a 'Good Sport' makes people want to keep playing with me."
You're a Great Friend!
Making friends takes practice. It's okay if it feels hard sometimes. Just keep trying, be kind, and use your Friendship Playbook!
The End
Friendship Coach Guide
Friendship Coach Guide
Instructional support for "The Friendship Playbook"
Reading Strategies
Pace and Focus
Focus on one specific skill per session. Allow the student to "own" their copy by adding their name and coloring the icons.
Personalize
Swap out general examples for real peers' names or specific games the student loves (e.g., replace LEGO with Minecraft).
Deep Dive Prompts
"Think of a time you were a 'Flexible Thinker'. How did it make your friend feel?"
"What is the hardest part about losing a game? What can we do to help our heart feel calm?"
Active Practice
Wait-and-Pause Role Play
Practice the act of approaching a group, waiting 5 seconds for a pause, and then using a Chat Starter.
Good Sport Scenario Cards
Create small cards with "Win" and "Lose" scenarios. Practice the specific phrase "Good game!" for each one.
"Consistency is key. Use vocabulary from the Playbook (e.g., 'Flexible Brain', 'Chat Starter') throughout the day to reinforce the concepts in real-time."
