Friendships provide opportunities to communicate and compromise, and create independence.  In a preschool setting, most children are friendly, but, the art of friendship takes practice.  With many kinds of relationships, both good times and not so good times exist.  We have been helping the children to express exactly what they “want” when a problem arises.  In fact, we explained to the children that they can no longer say, “Aaaaaaaa,” to express dissatisfaction.   Instead, they have to say, “Please stop (and express their want).”  For example, if another child comes and pulls a toy that you are playing with away, say, “Please stop taking my toy.”   At home, can you please help your child practice using this strategy?  Next, we will be helping the children to learn to respect the wishes of others.  For example, if someone asks you to, “Please stop,” you need to respect their wishes.