We think it is safe to say that sometimes our children do not always understand what we are trying to teach them. We want to impart a particular social skill and they just don’t seem to catch it.
Today we are sharing three very effective and powerful tools that you can use to teach a particular skill – physical, social, etc.
The example we are using today is teaching a child how to wait, particularly one who is prone to interruptions but you can use the tools for other skills as well.
Solutions:
Tool #1 – Social story –Written – to be read a few times each day
You can add photos to make it very specific to the situation — home, school, church, friends, etc. The story can go something like this:
My name is ____________.
Page 1: Words: ” I have lots of fun ideas that come into my head and I cannot wait to share them with others. I want to talk about my ideas right now.”
Photo or illustration: You can have a picture of the child or any child with a light bulb over their head and explain that this is a symbol meaning “idea”.
Page 2: Sometimes when I want to share my idea, (name people) is not or are not ready to hear it. Sometimes they are busy.
Photo or illustration: You can have a photo of someone working on a project and looking focused on the project. You can have a photo of two or more people already involved in a conversation.
Page 3 and following: You can use the next page to express the feelings one might have when they have to wait. The words might be: “I do not like to wait. It makes me angry (or sad, or whatever you observe is the feeling.).
Ideas for moving forward: You can use the next page to start giving the child strategies they can use while in this dilemma. For example: You might say: “when I want to share an idea with someone and they are busy, I can
* gently put my hand on their arm to let them know I have an idea and then wait patiently for them to be ready.
* go draw a picture of my idea so that I do not forget it and then share it when the person becomes available.
* go write down my idea and share it when the person becomes available.
You get the idea.
Tool #2 – Digital Recordings – to be listened to a few times each day
The digital recording is to help the child have a strategy for what to do next. You can use the same ideas as the social story and just talk them into the recorder. You want the script to be in first person as if the child is thinking or saying these things. This is teaching them new ways of thinking that they might not figure out for themselves.
Some tips for Digital Recordings:
The script should be in first person.
The script should be relevant to the specific child.
The script should be only positive. We don’t include the behavior or mindset we see but only that which we want the child to attain. “As if it has already happened.”
An example: “I get so many new ideas everyday. I love to tell people (or mom or dad or siblings or friends) my ideas right away. Sometimes people are busy and not ready to hear my ideas. But that is okay because I can: (and then give an alternative behavior that you want the child to adapt.)
Tool #3 – Visual Chart – to be posted and discussed daily and updated when appropriate
The steps for sharing an idea
1st -observe – is another conversation already going on?
is someone already focused on something (like a song, book, or project)?
2nd – action If someone is already busy, place your hand on their arm (or some other mutually agreed upon and comfortable way to signal that the child would like to talk)
Ask the question, is now a good time to share an idea?
If yes – share away
If now is not a good time, Pick an option:
Wait patiently until the time is right
Write it down somewhere so you don’t forget
Draw a picture, so you don’t forget
Resources: We love www.sandbox-learning.com. But if you google “social stories,” you can find other resources for creating social stories.
Also we googled: visual charts for teaching skills to children and a whole lot of resources popped up. You can get more specific with your search, i.e. “visual charts for teaching social skills” or “visual charts for teaching hygiene skills to children”, etc.
You can use these resources to get ideas to create your own or avail yourself of their services.
You can use these resources to give you ideas for digital recordings as well.
Have fun with this! Make it a positive experience. Remember to create your tools with the voice of the child — as if the skill has already been attained.
With much love,
Tom and Julie Meekins
