Help young children learn to identify and manage their hurt feelings when they are left out or excluded by their peers with three simple steps.

This packet includes:

*A printable letter for families titled, “I’m Not Your Friend”. This letter helps to reassure families that while hearing the words “I’m not your friend” may cause some hurt feelings, it’s not the end of the world for their child.

*12 page printable book, “I’m not your friend.” This book features an adorable little monster who negotiates friendship dilemmas and learns how to ask for help when he needs it.

*”Can I Play?” - Sometimes children are excluded because they don’t have the social skills to ask to play. This section of the packet teaches children three important rules of asking to play. (Includes a color poster of the three important rules)

*Five social scenarios that will help children learn the 3 rules of asking to play. The first three scenarios are for you to read to the children. These are intended to inspire class discussions. The last two include questions so that the children can decide what the characters should do next.

*"What if they say no?” Advice for how to handle those sticky situations when a child asks to play and the other children say, “no”.

*”Feelings Shield”- A visual cue for children to use for defending themselves against other people’s hurtful words or actions. Included are shields with written affirmations as well as a blank shield so that children can draw their own positive pictures.

*Common Interest Bingo”- This game will help children find others who share the same interests so that they can make new friends. Making friends will give them more choices of people to play with so that they won’t experience feeling left out as often.

*Friendship Flowers- A visual cue to help children remember some of the skills they can use to make and keep friends.

*Please keep in mind that bullying is NEVER ok. Teaching children how to handle hurt feelings does not mean that you tolerate bullying. If you feel that there is bullying behavior in your school, it is your responsibility as a teacher to end it.