There's no doubt that children's home environments have a huge impact on the kind of people they become. But so do their educational environments. A number of schools are beginning to realize it's worth it to spend the time on "soft" skills such as empathy. Even forgetting the recent scary headlines about bullying, teachers know that a classroom…

Children learn more about themselves when they explore the special joys and responsibilities of friendship. Activities that encourage students to think about what it is to be or to have a friend are suggested. (DF)