10 Ways to Be a Good Friend

Good friends aren't born, they're practiced. Here are ten simple, real ways to help a child be the kind of friend everyone wants.

1. 1

   Ask before you assume

   When a friend seems off, a simple 'what happened?' beats jumping to 'they did it on purpose.' Most fights start from a wrong guess.

2. 2

   Take turns — really

   Sharing the game, the toy, the spotlight. A friend who lets others have a turn is a friend others keep coming back to.

3. 3

   Cheer for your friend's wins

   Being happy for someone instead of jealous is hard and rare. It's also the glue that makes a friendship last.

4. 4

   Say sorry and mean it

   A real apology — no 'but' attached — repairs almost anything. Owning a mistake is a friendship superpower.

5. 5

   Include the kid on the edge

   Noticing who's left out and waving them in is the kindest, most memorable thing a child can do at recess.

6. 6

   Keep a secret that's safe to keep

   Being trustworthy — not spilling what a friend told you — is how a child becomes the person others confide in.

7. 7

   Listen more than you talk

   Friends feel close when they feel heard. Asking 'and then what happened?' is often better than telling your own story.

8. 8

   Be kind even when no one's watching

   Real friendship isn't a performance. How you treat a friend when there's no audience is who you actually are.

9. 9

   Give people a second chance

   Everyone has a bad day and says the wrong thing. A friend who forgives keeps friendships from breaking over small stuff.

10. 10

    Speak up if a friend is treated badly

    Standing beside someone when others are mean is the bravest friendship of all — and the one they'll never forget.