Friendship Quiz

Getting along with other kids is important. How would you help each of the children in the following situations?

1. Five-year-old Barbara is playing dress-up with her new friend Rita. Both girls want to wear the purple feather boa. Their argument has turned into a screaming, hitting match.
   
   What should you do?
   
   a. Ask both girls to stop screaming or you will take Rita home.
   b. Take the purple feather boa away so that neither girl can wear it.
   c. Distract both girls with a snack and then work with them to think of ways they could solve the problem of the feather boa without a fight.
   d. Turn on the TV and ask both girls to be quiet and watch it.

2. Four-year-old Felipe appears to have found nothing he wants to do. So, he asks to turn on the TV.
   
   What should you do?
   
   a. Turn on the TV.
   b. Get down on the floor with Felipe and invite him to play with you. Or if you can't break away immediately, give him blocks or toys and tell him you'll join him in 15 minutes. Have fun together!
   c. Give him a chore to complete.
   d. Send him outside or to his room.

THE GOLDEN RULE Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Kids will have fun completing the Golden Rule activities in the Activity Book.

3. Sarah is 4 and seems to like preschool. But her teacher says she doesn't play with any of the other children.
   
   What should you do?
   
   a. Keep her by your side at home.
   b. Talk with her teachers to find out whom they would recommend as a playmate for Sarah at home. Talk with Sarah about what she and her friend might do at home and then invite the friend to play.
   c. Take Sarah to the park and tell her to go play with kids who are there already on the swing sets or the slide.
   d. Ignore the problem. Sarah will make friends when she's ready.

4. Five-year-old Derek and his friend Akira have been friends since preschool. At home, Derek complains that, "José won't leave Akira and me alone at school. He just wants to bug us."
   
   What should you do?
   
   a. Invite Derek to think about reasons why José wants to play with him and Akira besides the one Derek has identified. If necessary, suggest reasons such as "José might be lonely" or "José may think you and Akira play good games." Guide him to think of ways to solve the problem other than just rejecting José.
   b. Talk with Derek about how to deal with people he doesn't like. Help him come up with ways to push José away.
   c. Tell Derek that's not really a big problem. You're sure he and Akira can work out a way to take care of José.
   d. Tell Derek to tell the teacher that José is bothering him and Akira.

CD Play the “Lion and the Mouse” song from Wally Bear and Friends, which talks about the Golden Rule.

5. Rosalie comes home angry. When asked what's wrong, the 3-year-old complains that June tried to grab her doll. "Next time she does that I'm going to hit her," Rosalie exclaims.
   
   What should you do?
   
   a. You're too busy to think about Rosalie's problems right now, but you make a mental note to talk with her about it later.
   b. Tell Rosalie not to hit anyone. She should share her doll.
   c. Talk with Rosalie about standing up for her rights. Guide her to brainstorm ways to defend her position, such as telling the teacher or yelling.
   d. Talk with Rosalie about solving the problem without hitting. Ask her to think about what June would do if Rosalie hit her. Then, ask her to come up with other ways she might try to protect her doll without hitting June. Keep her moving in a positive direction as she considers alternatives, such as sharing. Tell her about the Golden Rule.