A short social skills workpacket for kids who feel left out, confused by friendships, or unsure how to join in. Uses Nia’s story to teach naming what’s happening, walking away with dignity, using a calm firm voice, telling a trusted adult, shield thoughts, conversation starters, and friend strengths.
Figuring Out Friendship Stuff follows Nia, a kind and creative kid who feels left out at school and starts wondering if something is wrong with her. Through Nia’s story, children learn that peer struggles are painful but not proof of their worth. The packet teaches simple tools for naming what is happening, responding to mean behavior, asking for help, joining in, and recognizing their own friend strengths.
Want a fuller friendship resource? Pair this with Friendship Toolkit: Kids Edition for more practice around feelings, kind versus unkind behavior, body clues, safety, speaking up, and friendship check-ins.
SOCIAL SKILLS WORKPACKET FOR KIDS
This workpacket helps kids name what is happening, protect their feelings, practice joining in, and remember they already have what it takes to be a good friend.
Friendship stuff is hard for a lot of kids
Meet Nia
A relatable story about feeling left out, sitting alone at lunch, worrying others are laughing, and wondering where you fit.
Naming What Is Happening
Helps kids put words to peer struggles and feelings without blaming themselves.
What To Do When Someone Is Mean
Teaches walking away, using a calm firm voice, telling a trusted adult, and using kind shield thoughts.
Practicing Joining In
Gives simple conversation starters like asking what someone is doing, giving a compliment, asking to play, or finding something in common.
Friend Superpowers
Helps kids identify what makes them a good friend, including kindness, listening, creativity, honesty, and including others.
Grown-Up Support Tips
Guidance for parents, caregivers, and teachers on validating peer struggles, avoiding “just ignore them,” practicing scripts, watching patterns, and seeking support when needed.
This workpacket is a psychoeducational social skills resource and is not a substitute for therapy, school support services, bullying intervention, crisis care, safety planning, or individualized clinical support. If a child is frequently excluded, targeted, avoiding school, withdrawing socially, or experiencing bullying or safety concerns, involve appropriate school or mental health professionals.