Friendship Quilt: Empathy
Growing strong Series
What’s inside...
When Raddie's grandmother dies, her friends work together to make a friendship quilt to help comfort her and to help her remember her grandmother.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the characters in the story show empathy towards each other?
What would you have done in the same situation as the main character?
Why do you think it's important to understand other people's feelings?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend feel better?
How do you think the quilt helped the characters in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Set a cozy reading environment and let your child lead the discussion, listening attentively to their thoughts.
Use examples from the book to relate to real-life situations your child might encounter, enhancing their understanding of empathy.
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about the story, validating their emotions as part of the conversation.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child's responses to delve deeper into the themes of empathy and friendship.
Share personal stories where you experienced or witnessed empathy to help your child connect with the concept on a personal level.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The story walks children through the process of creating a friendship quilt, where each square represents a story or emotion of a friend. Through sharing and listening, characters learn about empathy and understanding each other’s feelings.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by listening attentively to their friends' experiences and feelings, which helps foster a supportive and empathetic environment at school and home.
Example Lesson: Collaboration and teamwork
Explanation: As the characters work together to create the quilt, they learn about the importance of teamwork and how collaboration can lead to a beautiful and meaningful outcome.
Real-World Application: This lesson is applicable in group activities at school or during play, where cooperation is essential for achieving common goals and successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Creativity and self-expression
Explanation: Each quilt square is uniquely designed by a character, showcasing their creativity and personal story. This highlights the value of self-expression and the beauty in diversity.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to express themselves creatively in their projects and interpersonal relations, understanding that each person’s unique perspective adds value to the whole.
Example Lesson: Respect for diversity
Explanation: The quilt becomes a symbol of the diverse stories and backgrounds of each character, promoting respect and appreciation for differences.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to celebrate and respect diverse cultures and backgrounds in their community, enhancing social harmony and inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters encounter challenges in designing and assembling the quilt. They learn to solve problems creatively and collectively.
Real-World Application: Children learn to apply critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills in their daily challenges, whether in academic or social settings.