Welcoming New Friends

Learning how to greet and include someone who is new so they feel safe, happy, and belong.

Reading is good — doing is better. Practice Welcoming New Friends as an interactive lesson.

Definition

Welcoming a new friend means doing and saying kind things to help someone who is new to your class or neighborhood feel comfortable, included, and glad they are there.

Remember the rule

Smile, Say hi, and Ask them to play — those three steps welcome anyone's day!

Key words

Welcome: To show someone you are happy they are here.
New friend: A person who just joined your class, school, or neighborhood and does not know many people yet.
Greet: To say hello and introduce yourself to someone.
Include: To invite someone to join in so they are not left out.
Kind: Being friendly and caring toward another person.
Introduce: To tell someone your name and help them learn names of others.
Feelings: The emotions inside us, like happy, nervous, or lonely.
Belong: To feel like you are part of the group and are wanted there.

Worked examples

A new student named Mia walks into your classroom on the first day. She is standing alone and looks nervous. What can you do?

→ Walk up to Mia, smile, and say, 'Hi! My name is Sam. I am glad you are in our class. Do you want to sit with me?' Then show her where the cubbies are. · Starting with your name and a smile helps Mia feel less scared right away.

At recess, you see a new boy named Carlos sitting on the bench by himself while everyone else is playing. What should you do?

→ Go over to Carlos and say, 'Hi Carlos! We are playing tag. Do you want to play with us?' Then bring him over to the group. · Inviting someone to join your game is one of the best ways to help them feel included.

Your class is doing a group art project and there is a new girl named Priya who does not have a partner yet. What can you do?

→ Say, 'Priya, do you want to be my partner? We can work together!' Then share your crayons and tell her your plan for the project. · Sharing and working together shows Priya she is a valued part of the class.

A new neighbor moves in next door. You see them outside looking around. How can you welcome them?

→ Walk over with a smile and say, 'Hi! My name is Lily. I live right next door. Welcome to the neighborhood! Do you want to play in the yard?' · Being the first to say hello takes a little bravery but means a lot to the new person.

You notice your new classmate, Leo, does not know where the bathroom is and looks confused. What can you do?

→ Go to Leo and say, 'Leo, do you need help finding the bathroom? I can show you!' Then walk him there and back. · Helping with small things like finding places makes a new friend feel taken care of.

Common mistakes

Ignoring the new person and only playing with your old friends, which makes them feel invisible and lonely.
Laughing at a new friend if they make a mistake or do not know the rules yet, because everything is new to them.
Forgetting to say the new person's name — using someone's name shows you see them as important.
Only welcoming someone on the first day and then forgetting about them after that — new friends need kindness every day until they feel comfortable.
Leaving a new friend out of group activities by saying the group is full, even when there is room for one more.

FAQs

What if I feel shy and do not know what to say to a new friend?

Start simple! Just walk up, smile, and say 'Hi, I am [your name].' You do not need a long speech. Even one small hello can make a big difference.

What if the new friend does not want to play right away?

That is okay! Some kids need a little time to feel ready. Just smile and say, 'I am here if you want to play later.' Check in with them again another day.

Why is welcoming new friends important?

Think about how you would feel if you were somewhere new and did not know anyone. Scary, right? When you welcome someone, you help take that scary feeling away and turn it into a happy one.

What if my other friends do not want to include the new person?

Talk to your friends and say, 'Let's let them play too — it would be really nice.' You can also go play with the new person yourself. Being kind is always the right choice.

Can I be a new person's friend AND keep my old friends?

Yes, absolutely! Making a new friend does not mean losing your old ones. The more friends, the more fun for everyone.

What if the new friend speaks a different language and I cannot understand them?

Use smiles, gestures, and friendly faces — those work in every language. You can also show them things instead of just saying them, like pointing to where to sit or waving them over to join you.

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