Kind Words Count!

Kind Words Count! helps children learn how to be kind, take turns, and share while playing with others. Through cheerful music and simple examples, this song teaches kids how their words and actions affect friendships. The goal is to support social skills, empathy, and positive peer interactions in a calm, playful way.

A cheerful song that teaches kindness, sharing, and turn-taking during play.

15 PRACTICAL FRIENDSHIP SKILLS TO PRACTICE

Clear, step-by-step guidance for parents, children, and young adults

1. Teach children that words affect feelings
Explain that kind words help others feel safe and happy, while unkind words can hurt.

2. Practice kind phrases during play
Model and repeat phrases like “Can I have a turn?” or “You can go first.”

3. Teach turn-taking with clear structure
Use timers, songs, or verbal cues to help kids know when turns change.

4. Encourage sharing as a choice, not a demand
Explain that sharing helps friendships feel fair and fun.

5. Help kids notice others’ feelings
Ask: “How do you think your friend feels right now?”

6. Model respectful language
Children learn social skills by watching adults communicate calmly.

7. Pause before responding during conflict
Teach kids to stop and think before reacting with words or actions.

8. Use slime play to practice cooperation
Take turns squeezing, stretching, or decorating slime together.

9. Reinforce kind behavior immediately
Say: “I noticed you waited your turn. That was kind.”

10. Teach listening as part of friendship
Help kids practice listening without interrupting.

11. Normalize mistakes in social situations
Explain that learning friendship skills takes practice.

12. Encourage problem-solving together
Ask: “What’s a fair solution for both of you?”

13. Help kids repair after unkind moments
Teach apologies and kind follow-up actions.

14. Practice these skills during calm moments
Role-play social situations before challenges happen.

15. Remind kids that friendships grow with kindness
Reinforce that small kind actions build strong friendships over time.

THERAPEUTIC STRATEGY & PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH
Social Skills Training based on Social Learning Theory, Developmental Psychology, and CBT-informed communication skills

This approach supports:

  • Empathy development
  • Positive peer interactions
  • Emotional regulation in social settings
  • Cooperative play and communication

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