What Makes a Good Friend — Psychology (Grade 7)

Define and explain What Makes a Good Friend in your own words
Use key terms such as friendship accurately
Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic

Friends make school, playtime and life much better — but friendship is a skill you can practise. In this chapter you will discover what makes a good friend, how to share and take turns fairly, how to fix arguments kindly, and how to include everyone.

This lesson focuses on What Makes a Good Friend: spot the qualities of a good friend, such as kindness, honesty and listening, and practise being one yourself.

Definition: What Makes a Good Friend

Spot the qualities of a good friend, such as kindness, honesty and listening, and practise being one yourself.

Key ideas

Good friends are kind on purpose

Kindness is not just a feeling; it is something you do. Good friends listen when you talk, tell the truth gently, and cheer you on. The good news is that every one of these habits can be practised, starting today.

Fairness keeps friendships strong

Taking turns and sharing show your friends that you respect them. When one person always grabs the best toy or always chooses the game, friendships wobble. Fair rules, agreed together, keep play fun for everyone.

Key term — friendship: A caring connection between people who enjoy spending time together and look out for each other.

Worked example: What Makes a Good Friend

Name three qualities of a good friend.

Any three: kind, honest, listens, shares, includes others, cheers you on, keeps promises.

Answer: Any three: kind, honest, listens, shares, includes others, cheers you on, keeps promises.

Common mistakes

Saying sorry makes you the loser Saying sorry when you hurt someone shows courage and care, and it is usually the fastest way to repair a friendship.
Winning an argument means you are right Shouting loudest does not make you right; listening and finding a fair compromise does.

Practice

True or false: good friends never argue.

Think about what really makes a friendship strong.

False. Friends do argue; what matters is fixing arguments kindly.

You and your friend both want the last biscuit. Suggest a fair compromise.

Could you both get something out of it?

Answers vary: split it in half, take turns having the last one, or play a quick fair game to decide.

Why is taking turns important in a game?

Think about how it feels when someone never lets you have a go.

It keeps the game fair and fun for everyone, and shows respect for others.

What is a compromise?

It involves everyone giving a little.

A solution where everyone gives a little so a disagreement is sorted fairly for all sides.

Quick check

What Makes a Good Friend — quick check

Which of these best defines "friendship"?

A caring connection between people who enjoy spending time together and look out for each other.

A new pupil is sitting alone at lunch. What could you do to include them?

Invite them to sit with you or join your game, and ask their name — small invitations make people feel welcome.

Key takeaways

What Makes a Good Friend: spot the qualities of a good friend, such as kindness, honesty and listening, and practise being one yourself.
Good friends are kind on purpose: Kindness is not just a feeling; it is something you do.
taking turns: Waiting for your go and letting others have theirs, which keeps games and conversations fair.
Watch out for: saying sorry makes you the loser

Taking Turns and Sharing →Back to Grade 7 chapters Related resources →