Healthy Harold: great mates share their superpowers and you can too

Hey there, friends!

It’s me, Healthy Harold. You know, friendship is one of the best things in the world — it’s like having a team of superheroes who support and care for each other. But just like superheroes, great friends have special powers too. And guess what? You can be a super friend by showing kindness, empathy, inclusion, and respect. Let’s talk about how!

There are many ways you can be a good friend to others, at school and outside of school.

It’s important to always be kind and thoughtful. Kindness is like sunshine — it makes everything brighter. A simple smile, a high-five, or saying something nice can make a big difference in someone’s day. If a friend is feeling down, ask them how they’re doing and really listen.

If you notice that someone is feeling sad or worried, you could show them some empathy. Empathy means understanding how someone else feels. If your friend is upset, try to see things from their point of view.

You could say, “I understand why you feel that way. I’m here for you.”

Being there for a friend when they need support makes your friendship stronger.

Have you ever felt left out? It doesn’t feel good, right? That’s why it’s important to invite others to join in. If you see someone sitting alone or not being included, ask them to play or talk with you. Everyone needs a friend and deserves to feel like they are valued and belong.

Now, I understand that friends don’t always agree on everything- including games to play or favourite music or TV shows – and that’s okay! What’s important is listening to each other and being respectful, even if you have different opinions. Having different likes, dislikes and opinions is what makes us unique and special. I think life would be boring if everyone was the same. You should always try and use kind words and never put your friends down. If you ever have a disagreement, talk it out calmly.

A good friend is someone others can count on. If you make a promise, keep it. If a friend shares something with you, respect their trust and don’t tell others, unless they need adult help. Being honest, reliable and someone your friends can trust helps friendships grow strong.

At school, you can be a great friend by including others in games at recess, helping a classmate who might need help with their work, drawing them a picture to cheer them up, and being an upstander, not a bystander. You can do this by standing up for others if you see unkind behaviour.

Outside of school, friendships can grow in different ways. You can invite friends to play, call or message to check in on them, and support their hobbies and interests. If you’re playing sports or in a team, group or club together, encourage each other and be a team player. No matter where you are, being a good friend means showing kindness and respect.

Friendship is about being there for each other, lifting each other up, and making sure everyone feels valued. The more kindness, empathy, inclusion, and respect you show, the stronger your friendships will be.

So, next time you’re with your friends, remember these tips and be the kind of friend you’d love to have. Keep being awesome!

Your friend,

Healthy Harold

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