“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12

"Studies have shown friendship to have a positive effect on one’s mental and physical health, school performance, and self-esteem. Therefore, teaching your children how to develop friendships is essential to their overall well-being. However, while you may think friendship is something that comes naturally, children need to be taught how to be a good friend and how to nourish their friendships."

For September, our Building Boys, Making Men virtue is “True Friend.”  We will spend time learning what it means to be a True Friend during chapel, class meetings, homeroom and other teachable moments that occur daily to help the boys answer the essential question of what it means to be a true friend.

The boys of PDS are developing life-long friendships in front of our eyes. Some of these relationships could last a lifetime. In light of these realities, we aim to teach the boys the biblical basis of why God created friendships and how this gift of true friendship helps us to glorify Him throughout our lives. By using biblical examples in the Old and New Testaments, we hope to build the boys into True Friends.

Below are 7 ways parents can teach their child how to be a good (and true) friend taken from The Edvocate by Matthew Lynch.

As always, thanks for allowing us to partner with you in helping your son grow “in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man.”

1. Model Friendship

First, you must model friendship. The best way for children to learn to be a good friend is to see their parent acting as a good friend.

2. Discuss What Makes a Good Friend

Take time to discuss what makes a good friend with your children.

3. Give Them Opportunities to Socialize

For your children to develop friendships, you must give them opportunities to socialize. Learning to be a good friend takes practice – especially for little ones.

4. Help Them Become Good Listeners

One of the most important qualities of a good friend is the ability to listen well. Teach them to look people in the eye and to allow people to speak before commenting.

5. Teach Them How to Resolve Conflicts

Friendship does not come without conflict; therefore, you must teach your children how to handle conflict respectfully. Children must learn how to stand up for themselves, set boundaries, as well as how to admit when they are wrong and apologize.

6. Read Books About Friendship

Sometimes the best examples of friendship are found in books.

7. Praise Their Positive Friendship Traits

When you see your child being a good friend, praise him or her.

Mark

Mark Fruitt

Mark Fruitt serves as Elementary Principal and Director of the Building Boys, Making Men program at Presbyterian Day School (PDS), an independent school serving boys in grades PK-6 in Memphis.

Born and raised in Memphis, Fruitt earned his undergraduate and master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Memphis. Before coming to PDS in 2004, he served as a teacher, head varsity boys basketball coach, assistant varsity football coach and Dean of Students at First Assembly Christian School. Also during this time, he served as director of the family life center at First Assembly of God Church.

Over the years Mark’s professional development has included Project Zero at Harvard, Leading Today’s Changing Middle School, the National Association of Independent School Conference, and many others. He has also attended numerous coaching clinics, including: Alabama, Penn State, Nebraska, and Indiana to name a few.

Mark was awarded the Most Valuable Teacher Award while teaching at First Assembly and earned coach of the year honors in 2000. Mark enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and reading. Mark is married to Amy and they have one daughter. They are members of Hope Presbyterian.