Friends are people you have fun with. Many friendships begin when children play together.

Kids play in different ways. Some play with lots of others. Some have one or two playmates. Some like to play on their own. All of these are common.

Most children need only one or two good friends, not a crowd.

A good way to start is to say hello, smile and be friendly. You can also ask if you can sit with someone or play with them.

A kind compliment is a friendly way to start talking to someone.

Friends like to talk about their favorite things. Asking someone what they like to do keeps a talk going.

When two people like the same things, they have more to talk about. A shared interest is an easy way to start.

School clubs, sports teams and music groups are good places to meet friends.

Good friends take turns and share. They listen to each other and show they care about what the other says.

A good friend is a kind person. Kind matters even more than liking the same things. A friend can cheer you up when you feel sad, and friends help you feel good about yourself.

Some children are quick to join in. Others take more time to warm up to new people and places. If someone does not want to play right now, that is okay. You can find something else to do, and there will be other chances.

A grown-up you trust can help with friends.

Words to know

• friendly: kind and warm
• compliment: nice words
• shared: the same
• interest: a thing liked