Exploring themes of friendship and family through storytime, quotes, activities, and movies can profoundly impact children’s social development and emotional intelligence. As children integrate these elements into daily routines and discussions, they gain the tools and understanding they need to build and maintain meaningful connections with their friends and family.
This week’s lessons and activities are all about cultivating friendships and celebrating family!
Review the following viewing list and subsequent activity list. Choose 2 or more videos/movies to view and 2 or more activities to perform with your children.
Use the #GJCSummerCamp tag to participate with the summer camp community and also to see what other parents and teachers are sharing! Parents and teachers can post videos or shorts of children working through activities, photos of their completed projects or art, or even share thoughts through articles and posts of children’s experiences as they work through the different activities each week.
Enjoy storytime with Little Listeners in this reading of the children’s book, “I Love You the Purplest” by Barbara Joossee, a moving book that is a celebration of both parental love and of the unique qualities that make every child unique.
It is time for an inspiring movie! Grab the popcorn and turn out the lights, children will love this touching movie with the message, “Getting what you want is not always what you need.” A movie that presents concepts of greed, family values, how to work through internal family conflict, unkind neighbors, bringing a profound lesson on family and forgiveness.
Activity List
1. My Favorite Story What is your child’s favorite friendship or family story? It could be a story from a picture book, a movie, or even a song! Perhaps it is even a story they learned about in this week’s studies. Ask children to think about their favorite story and to express why they thought it was a good story on friendship or family. What elements of the friendship or family story inspired them and what parts may they want to apply in their own friendships and family?
2. Friendship Quote Activities Read the following quotes on friendship with your child and see below for fun ways to integrate them into activities for deeper reflection! Perform one or both activity ideas with your child.
“In the cookie of life, friends are the chocolate chips.” – Unknown
“To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.” – Dr. Seuss
“A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the best things you can be.” – Winnie the Pooh.
“True friends are like stars; you don’t always see them, but you know they’re always there.” – Author Unknown
“Friendship is like a rainbow between two hearts.” – Author Unknown
“Friendship is the only flower that blooms in all seasons.” – Author Unknown
“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” – Donna Roberts
“A friend is someone who makes you feel understood, accepted, and loved just the way you are.” – Heather Pryor
“A friend’s smile can brighten even the rainiest days.” – Unknown
“Friends are the colors that paint our lives with happiness.” – Unknown
“A friend is someone who makes it easy to believe in yourself.” — Heidi Wills
A. Friendship Poster Have children select one quote that excites them the most and have them create their own friendship quote poster. Though this art activity they can reflect on the quote and represent it as they see it. Have them write out the quote on a poster, or for little ones, you can write it for them, and have them decorate the poster. They can create it for a friend or family member or even for themself to hang in their room.
B. Friendship Writing Prompt Have your child write an essay or story about the quote. They can talk about what they feel the quote means and how they can apply it in their life, or tell their own story of friendship that is inspired from the quote!
3. Friendship Storytelling Encourage children to share stories about times they were helped by a friend or family member, or a time when they offered help to another.
4. “Feathers Together” Art Activity After watching the story, “Feathers Together”, provide children and family members with a feather-shaped piece of construction paper. Ask each child and family member to decorate their feather. Afterward, hang a turkey shape that is missing its tail feathers. Add each decorated feather to the turkey's tail.
5. Activity Sheets Here are this week's fun activity sheets!
When you are ready, head on over to the final week of summer camp!
Leave a Comment