Read a story to the children about friendships and then explore
with them the events and characters in the story.

• Who was a good friend in the story?
• What is a good friend? What sort of things do they do?
• What sort of things do they say?
• Who is your friend in the class? Why?
• Can you say some good things about them?

Encourage the children to say positive things about each child in the class.

• What sort of things do friends not do?
• What is your friend wearing today?
• What colour are your friend’s clothes?
• What colour is your friend’s hair?
• Is it long or short? Dark or fair? Straight or curly?

Let friends stand opposite each other so that they can make careful observations of each other’s clothes, faces and hair.

• Paint your friend very carefully on your Tabard. Look at their clothes, face and hair. Now wear your Tabard. What does
  it feel like to be your friend?

This activity can develop in several directions.

• Can you do some of the things your friend might do? If your friend makes a model from a
  construction kit can you copy what he or she does? Take turns to copy each other.
• Now plan an activity with your friend. What will you do together?
  

Meeting curriculum requirements:

This activity focuses on personal, social and emotional developments and language. It involves skills of observation and
recognition of the similarity of patterns of language and behaviour in friends. It is an art-related activity and involves the
development of painting skills.

Tips for Painting:

Tabards must be kept flat when they are being painted
Have different brush sizes available
Encourage the children to observe their friend and paint boldly
Keep one set of brushes for each colour
If things go wrong, wipe out with a damp cloth

Useful Reference:

A storybook about friendship

What you will need:

Tabards, paints, paint trays, water jars, paper towels, rags and brushes.

Activity 0005 Become your favourite story or nursery rhyme character
Activity 0045 Become your favourite story character