Making Friends at Preschool

When to use this story

This social story is ideal for preschoolers who are beginning to explore friendships in a new environment, like preschool. If your child feels shy or unsure about joining in play with peers, this story can provide gentle guidance. It’s especially helpful during transitions into preschool or when new friendships are being formed, allowing your child to understand social interactions in a relatable way.

What's inside

"Making Friends at Preschool" follows a young child’s experience on their first day at preschool. The narrative captures moments of curiosity and shyness, illustrating the journey from observing others to taking the brave step of asking to join in play. Key phrases such as "I felt a little shy" and "I took a deep breath" help children connect emotionally with the character. The story is complemented by engaging activities that reinforce vocabulary related to friendship, spelling practice, and opportunities for role play, allowing children to explore these concepts in a fun and interactive way.

What kids learn

Through this social story, children learn essential skills for making friends, such as:

• Recognizing their emotions and feelings of shyness.
• Understanding the importance of taking initiative to join in play.
• Developing language skills to ask friends to play.
• Gaining confidence in social situations.
• Exploring the value of friendship and sharing enjoyable experiences with others.

Research context

The tradition of using social stories to enhance social understanding is well-established, with contributions from pioneers like Carol Gray. These narratives have been shown to support children’s social-emotional learning (SEL) by providing structured opportunities to relate to others' experiences. Research indicates that using storytelling techniques can foster engagement and understanding, helping children develop social skills in meaningful ways.

Tips for parents and educators

• Read the story together with your child, discussing their feelings and reactions to the character’s experiences.
• Encourage your child to share their own stories about making friends or feeling shy.
• Use role-playing activities to practice asking others to join in play, making it a fun and interactive experience.
• Reinforce the vocabulary used in the story during daily conversations about friendships.
• Create a safe space for your child to express their feelings about social interactions, allowing them to explore these topics freely.
• Consider using this story as a tool to initiate discussions about friendship and kindness in group settings.