About the Programme
FUN Friends is specifically designed for 4 to 7 year old children.
The Programme was specifically designed to
- Build resiliency through social and emotional skills development.
- Empower children, families and teachers.
- Promote peer learning through play and experiential/inquiry learning.
- Encourage support networks and positive role models.
The FUN Friends Programme teaches children and families the following skills
- Smiling and looking people in the eye
- Speaking with a confident voice
- Talking about feelings and also understanding other people's feelings (development of empathy)
- Helping other people - peers, family and teachers
- Body clues
- How to relax
- Making friends
- Being brave and happy
- Trying new things - making step plans
- 'Red' and 'Green' thoughts, and other essential life skills
These resilience skills are taught in a way that children in this age group can easily grasp and adopt. The objective of the Programme has been shown to be well-matched and complementary to educational goals and curriculum in schools (please click here to read in more detail about this).
The Acronym ‘FUN FRIENDS' used in activity books and manuals
F amilies
U niting to
N urture (Social and Emotional Development of Children)
F eelings (talk about your feelings & care about other
people's feelings)
R elax (do "milkshake" breathing, have some quiet time)
I can try! (we can all try our best)
E ncourage (step plans to a happy home)
N urture (quality time together doing fun activities)
D on't forget - be brave! (practice skills every day with
friends /family)
S tay happy
There are different ways that children, families and teachers can be involved
- You can participate in Fun Friends facilitator training day through Lifepaths which occurs several times a year for one full day. People who have been trained to run Fun Friends can then implement it at their school, early childhood centre or elsewhere. The programme can be made part of the curriculum to develop emotional and social skills in young children.
- You can arrange for staff in-training at your school or organisation. We can go to any location in New Zealand and train your staff.
- Parents can purchase the Parents Guide directly from this website to use at home with their families.
- Parents ask your school or preschool to run Fun Friends within their curriculum.
