I hope the four friendship facts from our previous newsletter article about Friendology has been helpful when discussing friendships with your children. As the students are working through the Friendology lessons our aim is to assist them with the skills, language and self- confidence they need to be better friends and to help develop healthier friendships.

1. No friendship/relationship is perfect. This helps students understand that conflict is a normal part of a friendship.
2. Every friendship is different. This helps students understand that no two friendships are the same; what works with one friend might not work with another friend.
3. Trust & respect are the two most important qualities of a friendship. Students learn the various ways trust and respect are shown in a friendship, the importance of honouring their differences, and how healthy friendships rely on this as the foundation.
4. Friendships change…and that’s okay! Students recognize that friendships are always changing because they are always changing.

The next stage of the program introduces the “Friend-o- meter.” The Friend-o-meter is a visual tool that assists the students to identify, if they think their friendship is a healthy friendship or an unhealthy friendship. The students are encouraged to ask themselves “Is this friendship good for me?” “Am I being treated with respect?”  They use the Friend-o-meter to gauge where their friendship is sitting on the scale. It is important for the students to remember that no friendship is perfect. At this point in time, if they feel they are in an unhealthy friendship they are guided through the steps on the “Friend-o-cycle.” The students learn from this cycle the normal cycle of healthy friendships.

The Friend-o-cycle uses the same colours as the Friend-o-meter so the students can see they are working towards moving back towards a healthy friendship.  The students refer to the issue, conflict or problem that has occurred as a “Friendship Fire.” With a friendship centering on trust and respect, students learn that Friendship Fires can be put out through an open, honest conversation. They learn, step-by-step, how to Talk-it-Out so they can move beyond the conflict and let it go with a goal of keeping friendships in the healthy zone of the Friend-o-meter. During the lessons, students have an opportunity to learn the skills needed to manage conflict and to put these skills into practice through acting out common scenarios.

Next term I will continue to outline the processes introduced through the Friendology program. I would encourage families to discuss the Friend-o-meter and have the students to share what they have learnt so far this term.

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter and safe holiday break,

Kind regards,

Maree