Caring
Lifeskills Make a Difference!
“Friendship Matters!”
“To feel and show concern for others” describes the lifeskill of caring. Caring is a key ingredient for our personal and social lives and for citizenship. The number one strategy to encourage students to utilize the lifeskill of caring is through modeling. Effective teamwork at school and in the workplace is built on the foundation of caring. Caring at school can be demonstrated by:
· Asking about the welfare of a classmate
· Serving as a buddy for new or younger students
· Taking care of classroom pets
· Working cooperatively within the classroom
There are many excellent books about friendship and caring to share with children. Books by Aliki such as: We Are Best Friends or The Two of Them are great choices for primary students. Older students might enjoy How Humans Make Friends, by Loreen Leedy or The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams.
References:
Pearson, S. (2000). Tools for Citizenship & Life: Using the ITI Lifelong Guidelines and Lifeskills in Your Classroom. Kent, Washington: Susan Kovalik & Associates, Inc.