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.

Printable Copy

Friendship Pebble:

First, I listen.

Then, I say.

Then, we repair.

Try:

“I felt…”

“I wanted…”

“Next time we could…”

“Can we repair by…”

Repair choices:

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

Provision Link

Keep a Friendship Pebble or prompt card in:

• construction area
• role-play area
• outdoor provision
• calm corner
• small-group table

Family Bridge

We are practising listening, sharing, and repair after friendship bumps.

Home question:

“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