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Donny and Mary Grace had different time adjusting in California and school. Mary Grace's teacher made something special for her by assigning a 'Friend of the week'. What do you think about this?
Should friendships be made by teachers for new kids or they should not interfere with the children's friendship?

I think this is okay, but I wouldn't call the person a "friend" because it implies a level of relationship that may not be real to the children. I think assigning a "buddy" or "guide" might be better until the student acclimates.

I think a nudge in the right direction will always be helpful for a new kid. I think a welcome party would also be a great idea!

I think the use of the word friend is understandable in the context, when you are 5 every colleague at the school is a friend. I think is a good idea.

While it's natural for teachers to want to help new students settle in and make friends, it's important for them to strike a balance between guidance and interference. Teachers can create a welcoming environment by encouraging classroom activities that foster positive interactions and teamwork, but ultimately, the responsibility of forming friendships should be left to the children themselves.

Interfering too much in children's friendships may actually have a negative impact, as it can create dependency and prevent children from developing social skills and problem-solving abilities on their own. Teachers can provide guidance and support when needed, but ultimately it's important to let children develop and navigate their own social relationships.

I think for kids, it's okay if teachers do this because when we go to college or higher studies class, no one tells us to be friends. Some might give suggestions so that a weak one be with a strong one to balance and learning purpose. For new kids, if the teacher is making friends on behalf of kids just to make sure they get company or do not feel left out then I agree with it.

I think it's fine for teachers to introduce the kids to others in the class especially if they're shy. It might even make the classroom more welcoming for them. But whether or not they end up as friends is up to the children. You never know which personalities will blend together and which ones will clash...

Shanesha Sammerson wrote: ↑07 May 2023, 19:47 While it's natural for teachers to want to help new students settle in and make friends, they need to strike a balance between guidance and interference. Teachers can create a welcoming environment by encouraging classroom activities that foster positive interactions and teamwork, but ultimately, the responsibility of forming friendships should be left to the children themselves.

Interfering too much in children's friendships may actually have a negative impact, as it can create dependency and prevent children from developing social skills and problem-solving abilities on their own. Teachers can provide guidance and support when needed, but ultimately it's important to let children develop and navigate their own social relationships.

I agree with you, Shanesha. Let them make friends and develop their social skills.

I do not think that friendship is something which can be artificially imposed as it should not be feigned. The teacher should have allowed her to mingle with her mates naturally and in the course of doing that friendships would be formed and blossom.

I don't think the teacher made friends for the new kids. I think that the teacher chose a supporter for the new kid to settle down better in the new school. Wether they became friends in the end is wholly up to them. That is my opinion about 'Friend of the week', I guess.

Patty Allread wrote: ↑07 May 2023, 12:30 I think this is okay, but I wouldn't call the person a "friend" because it implies a level of relationship that may not be real to the children. I think assigning a "buddy" or "guide" might be better until the student acclimates.

This is a great idea! I definitely think teachers should help new students acclimate to the environment if possible. I was pretty shy though, and I don't think I would've wanted someone to be assigned as my buddy. I think a teacher should have specific guidelines to follow for the "buddy," like they just show the new student how to do the assignments that are new or how to get to the bathroom/playground, etc. for the first few days. That way if the student doesn't want to have a "buddy" then they could still be mostly left to their own devices.

I think it is good for a teacher to ease the bonding by assigning a weekly friend. I think a "friend" is the right title because unlike other roles e.g. guide a "friend" is an equal and not a leader. As long as the teacher does not overdo it and monitors the chemistry between them, it is really helpful I think.

I think it is an excellent idea to make the new kid feel welcomed and to erase the awkward stage of taking the first step of talking to someone new. I know I would've appreciated something like this when I was little.

I think it is a good idea but it should be more like a buddy than a "friend" if the buddy becomes friends with the new kid great but I don't think there should be pressure for the new kid to befriend someone randomly assigned to them. It could help too, if the teacher does activities or even a welcome party which could encourage the kids to interact more and help the new kid find someone they will click with.

I think it's a nice idea. Sometimes, it is hard to blend in a new environment, and a small help or a gesture of kindness would make it much easier to adapt. This does not mean that this "imposed" friendship would last for long if the two characters are totally different, but it would be a good start in the new place.