How to Be a Friend

By Jill Hughes, Elementary School Counselor 

The start of a new school year is the perfect time to make new friends! These steps may help you find a new pal.

Be kind! Always remember that kindness matters and using kind words or doing kind things for others is a sign of a great friend. Does someone at your lunch table have a cool water bottle? Tell them! Does someone look sad or worried on the first day? Offer to help them out. Kindness can make both the giver and the receiver feel amazing!

Be yourself.  Each of us is unique, and we all have things that help us to stand out. Let others see your cool qualities and celebrate them with you.

Treat others how you want to be treated. The Golden Rule always works! If you see a friend playing alone at recess, think about how that would make you feel and go talk to them. 

Find people with whom you have things in common. Be sure to listen when others are telling about themselves. Maybe someone else loves bugs as much as you do, or maybe there’s someone in your class who is full of soccer facts like you are. Many times friends are people who like to do the same things as you do!

Make new friends! Be brave and introduce yourself to the new student in your class. Or, if you are a new student, be sure to say hello to someone on the first day. Everyone likes to feel like they belong, and new friends are everywhere!