Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. Picture the circle of people whom you think of as your closest friends. How diverse is this circle? Consider age, gender, ethnicity or race, sexual orientation, disability status, country of origin. We tend to form bonds with those who share our interests, values, and attitudes. Often, we also—consciously or subconsciously—choose friends who "look like" us. To diversify our friendship circle, we sometimes must step outside our comfort zone. Once we do so, we often discover that general rules of friendship and caring still apply.

Bring this awareness of friendship and diversity to your time with the children.