When It's Hard to Be a Friend

As we all know, while the "three Rs" of education are important, acquiring social skills that will last into adulthood is just as crucial for young children, especially as they begin to navigate the complicated waters of human relationships. An excellent compass for pointing kids in the right direction, When It's Hard to Be a Friend uses three short open-ended vignettes to illustrate common conflict points in a friendship: anger, peer pressure, and relationship changes. By interrupting the unfolding dramas for impromptu "interviews," viewers can hear both sides of the story and see each character's feelings, and the concluding discussion questions deftly avoid being moralistic or rhetorical. The situations are realistic, the graphics fun, the acting from the refreshingly multicultural and inter-gender pairings outstanding, and the accompanying curriculum is both creative and extensive. In sticky interpersonal situations, kids too often say what they think adults want to hear instead of what they really think or feel. This video will serve as an excellent springboard into open, honest discussion while underscoring the basic principles of friendship. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: E, I, J. (E. Gieschen)