In preschool and early childhood, kids may be excited about seeing friends but unsure how to engage. You and your child can make a picture album of their friends to support their confidence in engaging with other children.

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Paper

• Colorful art supplies

• Markers or crayons

• Glue stick or tape

• Stapler

• Photos of friends (optional)

Instructions:

• Set aside uninterrupted time to do this activity with your child. If possible, choose a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Put aside your phone (and have your child put aside their electronics, too).

• Make a page for each of your child's friends and peers (feel free to include siblings, cousins, etc). Write the child's name at the top of the page with a marker or crayon.

• Print photos of these friends and peers and glue or tape them to their page.

• If you don't want to print photos, have your child draw pictures on each page.

• Staple the pages together to make an album.

• Go through the album with your child. Have them tell you things that they like about each friend. Talk about things they like doing with their friend or the toys and games they both like.

• When you make the album with your child, you can talk about how to be a good friend–sharing, taking turns, being kind, and learning how to sort out disagreements.

Want to try out more mental health activities with your little ones? Click here to learn how to make a comfort object together, and click here to learn how to make a calm down bottle!