
Please find below our daily SolBe Family update letter containing helpful resources and exciting projects to explore while we all do our part to stay home during this pandemic. Subscribe here to receive updates. June 15, 2020 “Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. “Pooh!” he whispered. “Yes, Piglet?” “Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw. “I just wanted to be sure of you.” ― A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner I am delighted to be able to write a post for the SolBe blog on a favorite topic: friendship. Friendship sustains and comforts, offers opportunities for experiencing joy and sadness, and provides the foundations for healthy awareness of the needs of others. As a new preschool teacher, one of the qualities of small children that I found most awesome was their innate ability to connect; in my first year, I watched as the new members of the group, having settled into the routines of school, were able to look outward and find other humans who shared their interests, emotional cadence and quirks. A favorite memory is of two three-year-olds who donned Batman capes on arrival each morning, now empowered to confront the challenges of the day as a dynamic duo. Friends can provide strength and complement our own insecurities. When my daughter was in preschool, I asked her who flushed the toilet for her at preschool (we were working on this fear at home) and she replied emphatically “Naomi!” This was her best friend. At SolBe, as in most early education programs, supporting children’s’ friendships is a central theme of our work, as we realize the significance of friendships to healthy individual development and the building of community. With our youngest children (babies and young toddlers) strong attachment to educators provides a foundation for positive relationships: the comfort, communication, and shared play become the building blocks for the peer connections that follow. For older toddlers, friendship is highly emotional, full of shared hilarity, play, and inevitable conflict. Educators support friendships by modeling communication, inclusiveness and problem-solving, and by providing experiences that encourage connections with others, such as block play and shared story reading. Among preschool children friendship is perhaps the most important element of the school experience; this is the age for cooperative endeavors, such as building elaborate structures, enacting shared fantasies, and collaborating on group projects. It feels like the culmination of the preschool experience and is rich in feeling. Something so special deserves celebration, and I have a few recommendations for anyone looking to purchase books (or, fingers crossed) borrow from a library someday soon. “Little Blue and Little Yellow” is a favorite for little ones, with bold, simple illustrations by the renowned Leo Lionni. It simply tells the story of enjoying a good friend’s company, and includes a surprise about color mixing! “Yo! Yes?” by Chris Raschka humorously tells the story of a street encounter that becomes a friendship; the expressive body language of the boys is a useful starting point for conversations on understanding the emotional states of others. For an older child (maybe 4 and up?) “Ira Sleeps Over” by Bernard Waber presents a dilemma that worries many children: being judged and made fun of. Ira follows his feelings and is rewarded with an increased sense of connection and confidence. Parents will find much enjoyment in watching their children develop friendships, and if you reach out to fellow families, you will probably find some new friends, too!
Related Articles
Explore our latest insights and resources.

Using Your Voice Effectively: Intentional & Positive Phrases to Use With Your Child

Work and Family: 7 Strategies to Find Balance as a Parent

Understanding and Supporting Early Childhood Mental Health

Understanding and Monitoring Developmental Milestones

The Value of Process-based Learning

The Truth about Parenting: Being a Thriving Parent

The Curious & Creative Classroom

Social-Emotional Learning: Five Competencies and How to Teach Them at Home

Social Emotional Learning Part Five: Teaching Growth Mindset to Inspire Change

Social-Emotional Learning Part Three: Teaching Friendship to Inspire Change

Social Emotional Learning Part Two: Teaching Acceptance to Inspire Change

Social Emotional Learning Part Six: Teaching Empathy to Inspire Change

SEL: Parent Social-Emotional Competence & Well-Being

Social Emotional Learning Part Four: Teaching Respect to Inspire Change

Reflective Learning: 10 Meaningful Questions to Replace “How Was School Today?”

Prosocial Behavior: Strategies to Model, Practice and Praise

Ranking Boston Area Private Schools: Finding The Best Programs For Your Children

Prosocial Behavior: Encouraging Your Child To Practice Gratitude

Play is Work and Work is Play

Preparing a Learning-rich Environment

Nurturing Brain Development During the Window of Opportunity

Exploring Spanish Language Learning Through Play-Based Activities

Early Intervention: Identifying Support for Children Birth to Age Three

Developmental Screening: Acting Early and Advocating for Your Child

Daily at Home Project: Red House – Fun For All Greatest Hits & More

Daily at Home Project: Rainbow Painting and Make Your Own Ice Cream

Daily at Home Project: Pots, Pans, Colors & Rainy Day Brownies!

Daily at Home Project: Lid Matching and Animal Washing Station

Daily at Home Project: Making Music with The Very Noisy Bear

Daily at Home Project: Fine Motor Activities and Let's See Where a Dot Can Take You!

Daily at Home Project: Crazy Art from Silvana Carpio

Daily at Home Project: Baby Treasure Basket and Rocks of Hope

Daily at Home Project: Colander Pipe Cleaner and Pipe Cleaner Bubble Wands

Daily At-Home Project: Mix and Match Faces

Daily At-Home Project: Homemade Binoculars for Little Explorers!

Daily At-Home Project: Gratitude Jar

Daily At Home Project: Veggie Paint Making From Marlo
Stay Updated with SolBe
Join our newsletter for the latest insights and exclusive content on early learning and childcare.