Be a Good Friend Episodes & Activities:
These episodes and activities show how friendships are tested in everyday life. The situations role-played by the characters give a child the opportunity to evaluate different ways to communicate and resolve problems among friends. Build language skills and self-expression by talking about the importance of showing consideration and respect for friends.
 
EPISODE: MY BEST FRIEND
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: BE A GOOD FRIEND*
SYNOPSIS: Emily Elizabeth thinks she must find something "special"
for Show and Tell and learns that sometimes the best things in life
are right under your nose.
APPLICATION: This episode teaches children that having a best
friend is something to be appreciated and that wishing for something
someone else has can sometimes keep us from recognizing our own special
treasures.
CLIFFORD'S NEW WORD: Friend
What is a friend? It is someone special that you can depend on, trust
and have fun with no matter what! A friend likes you because of who
you are inside and not for what you look like on the outside. |
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ACTIVITY:
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Me
and My Best Friend |
| OBJECTIVE: |
This
activity gives the child an opportunity to improve fine motor skills
by creating an original poster. Language skills are expanded through
oral communication. |
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Materials: |
Printable Poster, colors |
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What
to do: |
Follow
the directions under each square to draw pictures about you and your
best friend. After you are finished, hang your poster up and let it
be a reminder of how much fun you and your special friend have together!
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More
dog-gone fun things to do!: |
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Share
the story about Emily Elizabeth using Clifford for Show and Tell with
your family and friends. Print out extra posters so they can create
their own best friend poster just like you did! |
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The
word friend begins with the letter "F." Have a contest with someone
special to find as many things as you can that begin with "F" in
and around your house.
You will be amazed! Ready, set, go!
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| *This
episode also supports Clifford's Big idea: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF |
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EPISODE:
FALSE FRIENDS
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: BE A GOOD FRIEND
SYNOPSIS: Cleo gets a new doggy playground and suddenly Mac
is her new best friend! Cleo learns that good friends stick by you
through thick and thin.
APPLICATION: This episode teaches children that true friends
like us not for what we have, but for our friendship.
CLIFFORD'S NEW WORD: Loyalty
What is loyalty? This means that you are committed, supporting, and
faithful to something or someone. Can you think of someone you are
loyal to? Maybe it is your entire family, a best friend, or your pet.
It is good to be loyal. |
| ACTIVITY: |
Doughy
Friends! |
| OBJECTIVE: |
This
activity gives children an opportunity to identify a loyal friend
and make a dough picture frame for a special presentation. |
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Materials: |
Salt
Dough recipe, photograph of best friends, paint, small objects, yarn |
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What
to do: |
First,
have your picture ready. Mix up the Salt Dough recipe. Work the dough
while it is soft to be a size larger than your picture. You can work
the dough with your hands or a rolling pin. Carefully press your picture
into the soft dough (you can use a touch of glue behind the picture).
Gently press a small overlap of dough around the edge of picture so
it will be secure. You can also decorate your dough frame with objects
by softly pressing them into the dough. You might use buttons, noodles,
little rocks, or even paint on the frame! Don't forget to make a small
whole in the top of your frame before it dries so you can run some
yarn through it for hanging. What a special frame for your special
loyal friend! |
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More
dog-gone fun things to do!: |
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Draw
a picture of you and your most loyal friend! |
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SALT
DOUGH RECIPE: 1 cup salt, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 3/4 cup cold water.
Method: Combine all ingredients in a double boiler. Cook over medium
heat for two or three minutes until it becomes thick. Stir constantly.
When the consistency is similar to bread dough, place on wax paper
or aluminum foil to cool. When dough is cool enough to handle, knead
for several minutes. It is then ready to use. Wrap in wax paper
or place in plastic bag. It may be stored for up to several days.
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EPISODE:
CIRCUS STARS
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: BE A GOOD FRIEND
SYNOPSIS: When Gordo the elephant, star of the circus, comes
down with an ear infection, Clifford has to step in and take his place.
Starstruck Clifford realizes that "stars" are just regular people,
too.
APPLICATION: This episode teaches children that big "stars"
are regular people, too and they can have the same challenges as everyone
else. The characters learn this when they have to come to the rescue
of their favorite star Gordo. Helping someone out of a bind is what
being a good friend is all about. This loyalty earns all the characters
a chance to be in the spotlight!
CLIFFORD'S NEW WORD: Autograph
What is an autograph? It is a personally written signature. This means
that someone writes their own name. Whenever you sign your name, you
are signing your autograph. An autograph is very unique and special.
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ACTIVITY:
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Amazing
Autographs! |
| OBJECTIVE: |
This
activity gives children the opportunity to select people they admire
and get their autographs to start their own collection. |
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Materials: |
Any
small book with blank pages |
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What
to do: |
This
is a project that you can continue for the rest of your life! It is
fun to collect autographs of family members, friends, teachers, celebrities
in your own community or even big stars that you may have the opportunity
to meet! Just keep your autograph book handy and start collecting.
Hey! Someone may want your autograph! |
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More
dog-gone fun things to do!: |
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Use
glue to write your name. Pour glitter or sand on the glue. Shake it
off and see your autograph! |
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Have
fun with sidewalk chalk! Practice writing your name in different
ways. How many kinds of letters and pictures can you incorporate
into your name?
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| *This
episode also supports Clifford's Big idea: HELP OTHERS |
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EPISODE:
TO CATCH A BIRD
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: BE A GOOD FRIEND
SYNOPSIS: When Emily is accused of stealing, the dogs, led
by Clifford, take it upon themselves to prove her innocence. Clifford
learns the value of having faith in a friend.
APPLICATION: This episode teaches children that having faith
in a friend can really be important for everyone. Believing in a friend
even when the circumstances tempt us not too, can be a real test of
loyalty. Clifford's faith in Emily shows children how one friend's
loyalty can make a difference.
CLIFFORD'S NEW WORD: Faith
What is faith? It means having honesty, trust, and loyalty. When you
believe in certain persons or things and this gives you faith in them.
Name some people you have faith in? Do you have faith in the sun rising
tomorrow and the stars shining tonight? Do you have faith in yourself?
Yes! When you are confident and believe in someone or something, this
gives you faith! |
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ACTIVITY:
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To
Feed A Bird! |
| OBJECTIVE: |
This
activity gives children the opportunity to make their own bird feeder.
This can be used promote discovery about local birds and learn about
them by being a friendly observer. |
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Materials: |
Pinecone,
peanut butter, birdseed or small nuts and grain, string |
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What
to do: |
The
birds around your place are going to love this delicious treat! First,
attach your string by tying it around the cone. Coat the pinecone
with the peanut butter. Roll the pinecone in birdseed, nuts or grain.
Hang your bird feeder outside and watch your feathered friends gather!
The cone will soon be bare and you can prepare another feeder! |
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More
dog-gone fun things to do!: |
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Sketch
pictures of birds that come to your feeder! |
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Bird feeders make great gifts. Create seasonal feeders by painting your
cones and adding accessories like red and green colored ribbon for
Christmas or colored birdseed to look festive!
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EPISODE:
THE BEST PARTY EVER
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: BE A GOOD FRIEND
SYNOPSIS: After Jetta ridicules Emily for not planning enough
exciting activities for her "homemade" birthday party, Emily decides
not to invite her, figuring she wouldn't have any fun. But Emily later
finds out that Jetta feels left out and demonstrates compassion by
inviting her anyway, even managing to incorporate some of Jetta's
ideas, thanks to Clifford.
APPLICATION: This episode teaches children that showing compassion
toward someone that has hurt our feelings can be a great example of
true friendship.
CLIFFORD'S NEW WORD: Compassion
How do we show compassion? We show this special feeling by being kind
to someone, especially when they are difficult or have hurt our feelings.
You are someone really special when you show compassion for others.
Can you think of anyone that has shown compassion to you, even when
you did something wrong? |
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ACTIVITY:
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Homemade
Invitations |
| OBJECTIVE: |
This
activity gives children an opportunity to plan a special time with
friends and create homemade invitations. |
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Materials: |
Printable card, card making supplies; paper of any color, postcard size,
smaller or larger. It is up to you! Markers, paint, buttons, ribbon,
material, glue, scissors, and envelopes if invitations will be mailed. |
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What
to do: |
Friends
love getting special invitations! Cut out the printable card and fill
in the information for your guests. Place and glue it on your paper
and finish decorating each card with your own designs! Hand-deliver
or mail your invitations. What a fun invitation for your guests! |
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More
dog-gone fun things to do!: |
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Save
and collect invitations you receive from your friends. They make great
reading on your walls! |
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Have
a card making party for Christmas! Have everyone bring over his
or her scraps of paper and card making supplies and create special
cards to share during the season!
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EPISODE:
CLIFFORD'S BIG SURPRISE
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: BE A GOOD FRIEND
SYNOPSIS: Clifford wonders why he can't get anyone to play
with him, only to happily discover they've been creating a surprise
party for his birthday!
APPLICATION: This episode teaches children that we can still
have fun playing alone, especially when it seems everyone is too busy
to play with us. It also shows children the fun element of surprise
and how we can make someone else feel special!
CLIFFORD'S NEW WORD: Surprise
Have you ever been surprised? It is fun and exciting when someone
gives you a surprise and makes you feel special. A surprise is something
that you didn't expect. It catches you off-guard and unaware! Most
surprises are really wild and fun, however they can also be scary!
Have you ever surprised someone? |
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ACTIVITY:
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Surprise!
Surprise! |
| OBJECTIVE: |
This
activity gives children the opportunity to prepare a surprise for
someone special. |
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Materials: |
Paper
and tape for Surprise Banner |
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What
to do: |
Think
of someone that really needs a good surprise! Maybe it is someone
in your local nursing home, someone that can't get around well and
is home most all of the time, or a friend that just needs cheering
up! Prepare something that you think they would enjoy; perhaps a picture
you have colored, a yummy cookie recipe, a plant from your yard in
a jar, or a song that you could sing just for them! Tape several pieces
of paper together to make a long banner. Color and sign your surprise
banner and announce yourself with a big "SURPRISE!" You will make
someone else feel very special! Guaranteed! |
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More
dog-gone fun things to do!: |
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Surprise
someone by doing a good deed for them! |
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EPISODE:
FORGIVE AND FORGET
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: BE A GOOD FRIEND
SYNOPSIS: When Clifford forgets a play date, Cleo gets really
upset and won't accept Clifford's apologies. But when T-Bone points
out to Cleo that she is being unfair to Clifford, Cleo realizes that
a good friend forgives a friend's mistakes.
APPLICATION: This episode teaches children that friends need
to forgive one another, especially when someone makes a mistake. Learning
to give and accept forgiveness is a valuable social skill.
CLIFFORD'S NEW WORD: Forgiveness
What is forgiveness? It is the act of forgiving. We show forgiveness
to someone when we are able to let go of anger or hurt toward them.
If we can forgive someone, we feel better and so do they! Sometimes
it is really hard to forgive and we have to work at it. You can feel
good about yourself when you forgive someone. Can you remember a time
when you forgave someone for something they did to disappoint or hurt
you? |
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ACTIVITY:
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Role-playing
Forgiveness |
| OBJECTIVE: |
This
activity gives children the opportunity to role-play by acting out
situations where they show anger and forgiveness toward a friend. |
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Materials: |
Episode
"Forgive and Forget" |
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What
to do: |
Talk
about how the characters interacted with each other. Have friends
act like Cleo, T-Bone and Clifford. Take turns role-playing the situation.
What did the characters teach you? How should you act if someone makes
a mistake like Clifford did? What have you learned from the characters?
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More
dog-gone fun things to do!: |
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If
you know someone that has disappointed you and needs forgiving, write
them a note or color them a picture. This might help you forgive them
and make them feel better at the same time! |
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When
you see friends not being forgiving, tell them about this story
and share Clifford's feelings with them. Maybe you can help them
understand about forgiveness.
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EPISODE:
CLIFFORD'S BIG HEART
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: BE A GOOD FRIEND
SYNOPSIS: Clifford tries hard to find Emily the perfect big,
red Valentine only to finally realize that, to Emily, he IS the perfect
big, red Valentine.
APPLICATION: This episode teaches children that the best gift
we can give someone else is ourselves. We feel important and appreciated
when others recognize and affirm what we mean to them. And everyone
needs to know they are loved!
CLIFFORD'S NEW WORD: Heart
Whom do you give your heart to? When you love and care for someone
it is not hard to show them your special feelings. Giving your heart
to someone means that you give them your love and understanding. It
is the most special gift in the world! |
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ACTIVITY:
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Have
a Heart! |
| OBJECTIVE: |
This
activity gives children the opportunity to create a heart, then identify
and present it to someone special. |
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Materials: |
Paper,
colors, glitter, glue, buttons, ribbon, small decorations |
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What
to do: |
Cut
out a heart shape on paper, poster board, cardboard, or out of wood
if possible. Use your imagination to decorate the heart and create
something wonderful to give to someone that you think deserves your
special heart. Be sure to sign and date it for them. This will be
a heart-felt gift from you that they will keep for many years! |
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More
dog-gone fun things to do!: |
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Collect
loose change and make a donation to your American Heart Association.
This will make your heart feel good! |
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Nature
has many hearts to find! Look outside for any heart shaped leaves,
rocks, flower petals, etc. You will be surprised how many hearts
Mother Nature has for us to enjoy. All you have to do is look! Start
a collection and share your discoveries with your friends!
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EPISODE:
FLUFFED-UP CLEO
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: BE A GOOD FRIEND
SYNOPSIS: Cleo wins a dog show award and starts bragging constantly.
But when Mac brags to her about his award-winning accomplishment,
Cleo discovers how boring a braggart can be.
APPLICATION: This episode teaches children that bragging can
sometimes be a boring experience. Recognizing this can help us to
express the pride we may have for our accomplishments without becoming
an annoyance to our friends.
CLIFFORD'S NEW WORD: Congratulations
What does it mean when someone congratulates you? It means good job!
Way to go! Have you ever had someone say to you, "congratulations!"
for doing your best at something? Can you think of someone that you
have congratulated lately? "Congratulations" is a word you most definitely
say with excitement and a big smile! |
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ACTIVITY:
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Make
a Trophy! |
| OBJECTIVE: |
This
activity gives children the opportunity to create an original trophy
and present it to someone with a big "congratulations!" |
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Materials: |
Styrofoam
or wood block, pipe cleaners, glue, paper, marker, small pieces of
decorations |
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What
to do: |
Think
of someone that you want to congratulate for something special and
make them a personalized trophy! Use your pipe cleaners to form your
trophy person or object. Use small pieces of decoration to make your
figure more fun and glue it to the foam or wood block. Attach a label
to on the front of the block with the person's name and a message
of congratulations. Maybe they deserve the "Best Friend" award or
"Favorite Neighbor" award. Be sure to sign you work! |
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More
dog-gone fun things to do!: |
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Hey,
a trophy can be made from anything! How about gluing interesting things
on a paper plate? Sewing supplies, nature objects from outside, candy,
or even magazine pictures and words. These all make great trophies!
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EPISODE: BABYSITTER BLUES
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: BE A GOOD FRIEND*
SYNOPSIS: Mr. Bleakman is ready for a quiet relaxing weekend
of oil painting. But a monkey wrench is thrown in the works when he
is asked to babysit Clifford for the day. Mr. Bleakman struggles to
find a way to keep Clifford out of his way, but soon discovers that
the big, red dog has much to teach him about being spontaneous and
having fun! |
| *This
episode also supports Clifford's Big Idea: BE KIND |
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EPISODE: FRIENDS, MORNING, NOON, AND NIGHT
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: BE A GOOD FRIEND*
SYNOPSIS: Cleo and Clifford are excited to learn that Cleo
will be Cliffordπs houseguest for a weekend while her house is being
painted! But soon Cleo is filling Cliffordπs doghouse with her stuff,
taking over his bed, and butting in on his time alone with Emily Elizabeth.
It takes time, but Cleo eventually learns that being a good houseguest
means respecting the needs of your host. |
| *This
episode also supports Clifford's Big Idea: HAVE RESPECT |
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EPISODE: SATURDAY MORNING
CLIFFORD'S BIG IDEA: BE A GOOD FRIEND
SYNOPSIS: When T-Bone's "special Saturday time" with Sheriff
Lewis doesn't turn out the way he expected one week, he goes on a
quest to see how others spend their Saturdays. He learns that there
are many different ways to spend time with the people you love. |
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