The most common reason that kids become excluded from social networks, targets of bullying, teasing, etc. is that they are different from the “in” kids in some way. This new game is a vital tool for counselors, school psychologists, and teachers to help kids see the benefits of inclusion.

 

Friendship Explorers is a cooperative game that helps players learn to understand similarities and respect differences. Players answer open-ended questions to earn pieces to a 9" x 21" jigsaw puzzle map of the world.  Everyone wins when the puzzle is completed.

 

Research has shown that when people share their personal backgrounds and experiences with their peers, and actively listen to what makes their peers unique, prejudice is reduced and tolerance is increased.

 

By finding similarities with many peers in their group, they find that they have more in common than they originally may have thought, and that differences first thought to be extreme, are simply wonderful ways to enrich our world.

 

The questions are all open-ended, so students can define themselves and their cultures without being guided by overly prescriptive prompts.  The cards draw from the actual personal experiences of the participants, so the game is different with every group that plays.

 

There are four decks of cards:

Playing time: 30–45 minutes. 2-5 players. Suitable for Grades 1-7. 2010.

 

IFL

 

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