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August 2013
Welcome to s2s Insights!
Welcome to the Steps to Socialization newsletter s2s Insights. Each month 'Social Thoughts'
contains a theme article on a relevant social topic. Informative articles or books related to the theme can be found in 'News and Reviews'. The 'Tips and Tools' section contains social thinking tips and activities. 'In the Neighborhood' covers related events and programs.
The start of school is just around the corner. This month we discuss how to help prepare our children for the start of the new year.
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Social Thoughts
When we think about getting our children ready for school, we think about academic skills and the materials (books, pencils etc..) that are necessary. We don't consider the children's ability to understand social cues, understand what other people are thinking or what their teachers want or expect in the classroom. These skills are just as important as math, spelling etc...
Perspective taking begins to develop in infancy and continues to develop into adulthood. We can foster this skill in our children. Talk about what you notice going on around you. Talk about what you thinking and feeling for example, "I see you looking in the refrigerator, I think you must be hungry." Talk about what you observe or notice and what you think it means i.e. "That man is looking around and seems confused, do you think he's lost?"
Make a connection between thoughts and feelings. It's a new school year and you're going to have a new teacher. What do you think about that? How does it make you feel? Talk about how different people think and feel differently from each other. You enjoy riding your bike but your friend doesn't - Why do you think she feels that way? Do you think it's because she fell off her bike and broke her arm?
Discuss the characters in the books they read and movies and TV shows they watch. What are the characters thinking and feeling and why? What can you infer and predict from reading the non-verbal cues? Just because you intuitively know this information don't assume your child does. Think out loud and let them know what's in your thoughts so they can learn from you.
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Tips and Tools
Concept/Activity of the Month: Thinking About Others
At s2s we use these games to help our students think about what other people are thinking.
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See you next month! In the meantime, please visit us on the web and read our blog.
Evelyn
and Lisa |
