When Friends Play Without Me

Today at recess, I was looking at the bugs near the bushes. I saw an ant carrying a leaf. I watched it walk across the ground.

Alex and Jordan were playing tag near the climbing structure. They were running and laughing together. I thought about joining them.

I walked over to them. Alex and Jordan kept playing their game. They did not ask me to play. I felt like they forgot about me, so I did not know if I should join in.

My stomach felt tight. My eyes felt warm. Being left out made my body feel uncomfortable because my chest felt heavy and my throat felt closed up.

Ms. Patel came over. She sat down next to me. She said, "I see you sitting here alone. Do you want to tell me what is happening?"

I told Ms. Patel that Alex and Jordan did not ask me to play. She said, "Sometimes friends do not know we want to play because we do not tell them. You can ask them to play, or you can start your own game." I asked her, "Will they say yes if I ask?" Ms. Patel said, "You can ask them so you find out what they will say."

I stood up. I walked over to Alex and Jordan. I said, "Can I play tag with you?" Alex said yes. Now I was playing with my friends because asking them helped me join the game.

I learned that asking my friends to play was better than waiting alone. When I asked them, they wanted to play with me so that I could join their game. Now I know that using my words helps me join games with friends so I don't feel left out.