Friendship Pebble Prompt

Use this after everyday Reception friendship conflict: not sharing, feeling left out, broken constructions, rough play, or they will not play with me moments.

The prompt avoids blame language and helps children move through three steps: listen, say, repair.

Teacher Script

Both feelings matter. Let’s listen to one person at a time. What happened? What feeling came? What repair could help?

Child Prompt

First I listen. Then I say. Then we repair.

Steps

1. Move children to a calmer space if needed.
2. Let each child speak or point while the other listens.
3. Reflect back one feeling for each child.
4. Avoid deciding who is bad; focus on what happened and what is needed next.
5. Offer repair choices.
6. Help children return to play when ready, or separate kindly if they need space.

Repair Choices

• say sorry
• help rebuild
• give space
• take turns
• draw a kind note
• ask a grown-up to help
• try the game again

Family Bridge

We are practising listening, sharing, and repair after friendship bumps. Ask: Did you wait, share, listen, or repair today?

Observation Look-Fors

• child listens with adult support
• child uses or repeats a repair phrase
• child accepts that two feelings can both matter
• child returns to play or takes space without escalation