Here in Australia, today 18 March is the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. Next Monday 21 March sees another three events, all celebrating friendship: Harmony Day , the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and World Down Syndrome Day.
While none of these events have ‘friendship’ in their title, that to me is what it all comes down to: acceptance, kindness and friendship. It is sad to see how difficult it can be to attain on a personal, local, national and international level. We must all do what we can to make the world a happier place through inclusion and respect.
Here at readilearn, friendship skills have always been a focus. We have over twenty resources to support the teaching of friendship skills. They can all be found under the heading ‘Friendship Skills’ in the resources for Character Development.
These are just a few of the readilearn friendship skills lessons and resources:

Busy Bees ABC of friendship is an alphabet of words that can be used to stimulate discussion about what a friend is and what friends do.Each letter has a word and accompanying explanatory statement on its own chart. The entire alphabet is also available on one printable chart. It could be used for a bingo-type card on which children colour the box for each letter as they do something appropriate to the word.

Be friends not bullies provides suggestions for teaching children friendship skills. It teaches them to identify the differences between friendly and unfriendly behaviour, to recognise bullying and to provide strategies for dealing with bullying that they may encounter personally or as an onlooker.
The resource includes:
- a story stimulus with suggestions for presentation and discussion
- follow up activities
- games to play
- a poster to print
Topics for discussion include:
Continue reading: What the world needs now — friendship skills – Readilearn
SO important. Seems to me adults need this activity(ies) as much as children!
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I agree, Pam. Even some in ‘high’ places.
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More than anyone else!!!! ;-0
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I know! 😦
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Wonderful, Norah!
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Thanks, Jennie. 💖
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You’re welcome!
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What the world needs now — friendship skills – #readilearn
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I love how you’ve highlighted friendship skills right from the start. They certainly don’t come automatically to everyone. Incidentally, my second most watched TikTok shows me meeting up with an old friend! Nothing to do with books, more’s the pity.
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That sounds like a wonderful video, Anne. Friendship is certainly an important part of life.
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Let’s all keep on working towards that global embrace. Hugs, D x
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Yes! Let’s! 💖
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One of the things schools are doing a better job on now is teaching kids how to handle a situation when bullied or they witness it at school.
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There is much more awareness now, I think, but still far more needs to be done. Bullying is still a huge problem. We don’t have to look beyond the news headlines at the moment to know that.
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This whole post reminds me that raising awareness about bullying is happening!
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It’s something we need never take our eyes off. It’s too easy.
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🙂
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Teaching friendship skills to young people is a great idea. Some people naturally understand how to be a friend, but most everyone needs regular reminders. So important.
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Thanks so much, Barbara. The need was a daily occurrence when I was teaching. 💖
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Good post, Norah. Kids do need to understand what being a friend and bullying means. Many kids just don’t understand. Kudos for offering these.
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Thanks, Jacqui. I wish some world leaders had learned them in school too.
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So true. Often, what I see from our political representatives would be called bullying, intimidation like a schoolyard bully would use. I don’t get it.
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I don’t either. What’s the point? It never leads to happiness.
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