Phoenix & Cool Joe’s Secret Plan for Making New Friends!
Hello, friends! Phoenix here!
Have you ever seen someone at the park or in your class that you really wanted to play with, but you felt too shy to say hello? My best friend, Cool Joe the llama, feels that way sometimes.
Just the other day, we saw a new friend playing by the swings. Cool Joe thought she looked really fun, but he got a little nervous. He just stood there and wiggled his fluffy tail! He didn't know how to start.
I told him not to worry. I have a secret friendship plan that makes meeting new people easy and fun, not scary at all! It’s a mission with a few simple steps.
Here is our secret plan!
Step 1: The Super Smile!
Before you even say a word, give the person a big, friendly smile. A smile is like a sunny hello that makes people feel welcome and happy. Making eye contact shows them you are ready to be a friend.
Step 2: The Magic Opener
This is the part where you get to be brave! Just walk over and say your magic opener. It can be as simple as, “Hi, I’m Phoenix. What’s your name?”
Step 3: The Name Game
When they tell you their name, listen carefully. People love hearing their own name, and saying it back right away helps you remember it. You can say, “It’s so nice to meet you, Penelope!”
Step 4: The Question Quest!
Now you're on a quest to learn about your new friend! Ask them a simple question to keep the conversation going. You could ask:
- “Do you like to play on the swings?”
- “How old are you?”
- “What’s your favorite game?”
Step 5: Use Your Super Listening Power!
Listen to their answer! If they say something you have in common, you can share that. For example, “Wow, I love the swings, too!” This helps you connect.
Step 6: The Friendship Invitation
Now it's time to invite them to join the fun. This is the best part! You can say:
- “Do you want to play on the swings with me?”
- “Let’s build a sandcastle together!”
Step 7: Grow The Friendship Circle!
Once you’ve made a new friend, you can introduce them to your other friends. It helps everyone feel included. You can say, “Cool Joe, this is my new friend Penelope. Penelope, this is Cool Joe.”
So what happened with Cool Joe? He took a deep breath, followed the secret plan, and went to meet the new friend. He gave her a big smile, said his opener, and found out her name was Penelope the Panda. He asked her if she liked slides, and she did! He invited her to play, and they had the best time.
See? It was not scary at all! Following these steps is just a simple way to be brave, friendly, and kind. And that is how amazing friendships start.
Give it a try next time you meet someone new!
Happy playing!
– Phoenix & Cool Joe