As part of their social development process, 4-year-olds are beginning to form deeper attachments to special buddies, especially those of the same sex. This makes losing friends particularly stressful.

Emotionally, fours are starting to look at things from another's perspective. However, when a preschooler is not able to maintain playing with a special friend because of something she cannot control, her behavior frequently becomes rather egocentric.

With longer-lasting friendships than the threes, the 4-year-olds become more cooperative in their relationships. They have a desire to interact with others and participate in collaborative play activities. Cooperation is certainly one way to help maintain a friendship. How well they relate to other children is due to their emerging social competence. When preschoolers can acknowledge others' ideas through shared planning, and use them in play, these positive interactions help sustain friendships.

This is a great way for children to learn about each other and will get them talking and giggling in no time!

Steps:

1. Take a 24" bouncy ball. Using a permanent marker, write fun questions or tasks the kids have to complete all over it

2. The ball is passed around and when a child catches it, they must answer or act out what is written below their right thumb

   Example of some questions: Favorite Ice-cream flavor?, When I grow up...? Favorite Character?, Farthest place you have traveled? First Pet?, Hot Dogs or Hamburgers? etc…

3. In addition to the questions, you can also add 'Truth and Dare'. So if they landed on one of those they got to choose who would ask them the Truth Question or give them a Dare. This adds to the fun