Imprint of a Friend is an integration game that encourages children to get to know one another better. When children play the game they learn about the other person’s interests and skills and are able to notice similarities and differences within their peer group.
The integration game Imprint of a Friend corresponds with Social Development Goal No. 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. We believe that majority of conflicts (both in the world and within a kindergarten group) are caused by barriers in communication. When a person does not know how to talk or listen to others, they sulk or become aggressive as means of self-defence. This may result in a conflict. It is our goal to teach children from an early age how to talk with one another, how to become more acquainted with one another, how to notice differences and similarities between people and how to accept them and to be able to get along despite them.
Game Rules
The rules of the Imprint of a Friend game are simple.
In the first stage of the game, each child receives a printout of the game card (you can download it below). The players’ task is to mark each image reflecting their skills or interests on the cards.
Each child dips their finger in the paint. Then, they leave a fingerprint on each image which represent their interests or skills. The fingerprints will indicate whether the child can read, has a dog, has siblings, has any other pet apart from dogs, can read or count, likes chips or veggies.
In the following stage of the game, the children should form pairs. In their pairs they will discuss differences and similarities. If child no. 1 cannot ride a bike and child no. 2 can do it, child no. 2 leaves their fingerprint on child no. 1’s game card.
In the following stage of the game, the children should form pairs. In their pairs they will discuss differences and similarities. If child no. 1 cannot ride a bike and child no. 2 can do it, child no. 2 leaves their fingerprint on child no. 1’s game card.
As the children share information, a fingerprint of a new friend is being left on each child’s card.
Change pairs two or three times.
When the game ends, sit with the children and discuss differences and similarities in the group. Try to manage the discussion in such a way so as to make the children understand that we can actually grow when we talk and get more acquainted with one other. Every child is different. Every child can have an invaluable impact on our lives. It is always so much better to talk than to fight, even if the talk is about differences.
