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.

Happy New Year ! The celebrations are over. School is back in session. Here are some suggestions for what do you do with all those new books and games your children received.

________________________________

Social Thoughts

The presents have been opened. The wrappings disposed of. Now it's time to use those gifts and play those games. You can have fun with your child while you help them to think socially. Here are some of the ways we incorporate social thinking into the games we play.

It's game night! Talk about what's expected when you're part of a group. We're going to vote. Majority rules. Being a good sport means doing what the group decides. How are you going to decide which game to play? Have each family member choose a game they'd like to play. Vote on which one to play first. Or you can bring several games to the table. Have each person vote with their eyes by looking at the game they want to play rather than saying it.

Don't take turns by going around in a circle. Have each person look at who is going to go next without saying their name (think with your eyes). You can choose anyone; there is no specific order. This fosters watching the other players. It also facilitates increased focus and attention because you might miss your turn if you're not paying attention to see who is being looked at. And you need to control the impulse to take your turn instead of waiting to be looked at.

And what about those books and DVDs that the children have received? Don't just read the words in the book. Children often memorize the words discuss the pictures instead. What is happening in the picture? How are the characters feeling? Why do you think they feel like that? What is the character looking at? What do you think the character is thinking about and why? Ask them to predict what they think is going to happen next. If the character is doing this now - what do you think he will do next.

When you watch those new movies ask your children about the characters. What are they thinking and feeling? What do think they are going to do? What do you think will happen next based on what already happened? Read the character's facial expression, body language and tone of voice. Do their words match the body language? Is the character being serious, silly, or sarcastic? Ask what your child would do in that situation. How would they solve the character's problems? How big is the problem and did the character react in an expected manner.

These suggestions facilitate conversation and interaction and model how they can handle these activities and situations when they are on they own.

_______________________________

Tips and Tools

Concept of the Month: Thoughts
Many children don't understand that we are always thinking about what is going on around us. Because thoughts are silent, they don't realize that everyone has them. Here are some suggestions for making thinking more conscious.

Activity #1: The purpose of this activity is demonstrate that we can figure out what someone is thinking about by following their eye gaze. Explain that what someone is looking at is usually what they are thinking about. Take turns looking at different objects. First ask your child to tell you what it is you are looking at. then ask them to make a smart guess as to what you could be thinking.

Activity #2: What we think and what we say are not always the same. We use our social filter so we don't offend people. Draw 'thought bubbles' and 'talk bubbles' to demonstrate the difference between your thoughts and your words.

______________________________

See you next month! In the meantime, please visit us on the web and read our blog.

Evelyn and Lisa