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Storytelling Social Stories

January 28, 2016 by Sarah 14 Comments

I have quite taken to this idea of storytelling. I have done it at home with my own little ones for quite some time, but since September I have bravely taken it outside my home and into the Kindergarten classroom.

Storytelling captivates little ones like nothing else (Well, Quiet Bins are a very close second). They are so excited and keen to hear what will come next, and since I am not reading a story I can use my eyes to really make the stories come alive.

Storytelling is a fabulous way to get little ones ready to read – much like the magic art of reading aloud (which I write about in big detail in this post called The Art of Reading Aloud to Kids).

It teaches children about story structure, plot, expectations in literacy, and so much more.

And since it also really helps to captivate little ones attention, I like to use it while doing social stories in the classroom (and at home, in fact)

Social stories, in a nutshell, are stories that help little ones learn and remember social expectations. Some (many) children need lots of reminders and help learning certain rules and expectations. Storytelling makes this fun, engaging, meaningful, and it really, really helps many little ones!

Here is a social story I made up for my little guy, and used in the Kindergarten classroom as well. I used these cute little felted woodland animals as the characters in the story, but props are not at all necessary.

UPDATE: This social story has been so well received it is now available to buy! Get your copy of Clever’s New Trick

This social skills or life skills book teaches children to stop, think and make good choices!

Available as an eBook and a Print Book

A cute social story to help kids make good choices!

This sweet story is about Clever the Fox who has some trouble handling his big emotions.

It is a cute story because I have tied in a little craft with it. At the end of the story each of the children can make a “stop and think” bracelet to join Clever’s Club.

As I am writing this I am getting nervous – adults are a much tougher audience than 4 year olds! Please be kind. Though I know you are …

Here is the beginning of the story:

Clever the fox walks around the edge of the forest with his shoulders slumping. He lets out a little sigh as he watches the other animals play.

story1

How he wishes he had been invited to join in the fun!

Poor Clever. He is feeling very lonely and sad.

Just then the wise Jerome, the forest gnome, notices Clever looking a little down and decides to head over for a chat.

“What’s the matter Clever? You seem a bit blue.”

story2

“None of the other animals want to play with me, Jerome. I just don’t know why. Do you?”

“Hmmm …” Jerome thought for a moment. “I just might. Clever, you are a kind Fox, but you do have trouble with your temper. When you get mad or hurt you often yell or even push. This makes the other animals feel frightened. Perhaps they are nervous to play with you.”

“Oh …” Clever said gloomily.

“But don’t worry Clever. I know a trick that will help you make good choices and will let all of the animals see what a kind boy you truly are.”

“A trick? That’s wonderful! Please tell me.”

“Do you know the feeling your body gets when you are upset? Sometimes it’s a tight feeling in your tummy, or you feel your hands clench, or your face gets hot. Whenever you feel that feeling you need to STOP and count to three very slowly.”

Jerome demonstrates with a great big breath and a slow count to three, 1-2-3.

“After you count to three you need to THINK. You need to think about what you can do to solve the problem that won’t get anyone upset. I even have a neat craft for you to do to remember this trick.”

Jerome, the forest gnome, explains the craft to Clever, but Clever decides to save the craft to do with some of the woodland animals so he doesn’t feel so lonely.

***

The story continues with Clever going on a journey through the forest meeting three different woodland animals. Each of Clever’s new friends also have skills they are working on.

Clever likes to learn that he is not the only one who needs to practice something – and he likes to learn that others also make mistakes.

The craft to accompany this social story is a simple beaded bracelet. I used pipecleaners to make it simpler for little fingers.

The kids can thread on one red stop bead, to remind them to stop, and three little beads of various colours as think beads, to remind them to think. I tell the kids that the think beads are many different colours because we need to think of lots of different ways to solve problems.

This story is a good chance to introduce the idea of “Big Problems” that need an adults help right away (if you are feeling hurt or scared) and “Little Problems” that children can first try to work out on their own.

Story telling is a very novel thing for many little ones, so you get some very attentive little ears. This makes it a great chance to work on lots of things!

Feel free to try out this story with your own little ones – of course the details don’t matter at all, and neither do the characters, just have some fun with it. If you are having fun with the story so will the little ones listening to you.

 

This is a fabulous social story to help children learn to STOP and THINK before dealing with problems!

Thanks for reading friends – I hope you are having a lovely week and keeping warm!

Please be sure to check out Clever’s New Trick!

 

 

Filed Under: Activities for Big Kids, All Ages, Grade School, Learn, Letters and Numbers, Letters and Reading, Literacy, Other Learning Fun, Preschooler, Preschoolers Tagged With: learning, reading, story telling

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Comments

  1. Phyllis at All Things Beautiful says

    January 28, 2016 at 7:50 am

    I think it was a great social story and the visuals are adorable. Wonderful post!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      January 28, 2016 at 9:41 pm

      Thank you for your kind words Phyllis!

      Reply
  2. Ada Holloway says

    January 28, 2016 at 1:22 pm

    I liked the story! I have some ideas on how to improve it, and I would like to contact you privately. Please email me or message me on Facebook. Loved the idea of distinguishing between small problems that kids can solve themselves and big problems you need adult help with!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      January 28, 2016 at 9:40 pm

      Thank you Ada, for your offer. I am glad you liked the story!

      Reply
  3. Merle Laham says

    January 28, 2016 at 4:19 pm

    Wonderful story. Thanks for sharing both the story and the simple craft to go with it.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      January 28, 2016 at 9:39 pm

      Thank you Merle!

      Reply
  4. Margaret Morris says

    January 30, 2016 at 7:49 pm

    Wonderfully well crafted story. No wonder children love it. I’m impressed. And I found your words re children’s problems very helpful. Many thanks.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      January 31, 2016 at 8:07 pm

      Thank you for your kind and encouraging words Margaret.

      Reply
  5. Cherrie says

    February 7, 2016 at 6:17 pm

    What a wonderful idea, story and craft! I hope I can be brave enough to try it out with my Special Education students.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      February 11, 2016 at 7:32 pm

      Thank you so much Cherrie – I hope you give it a try, you can do it!!

      Reply
  6. Trisha says

    July 30, 2016 at 9:36 pm

    Love your beautiful story. May I ask where you found the adorable felt animals?

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      August 7, 2016 at 8:31 pm

      Thank you so much Trisha for your kind comment. I am thrilled you love the story. I had the little animals felted by a local artist who just happens to be a dear friend and teacher at our local Waldorf school. She does sell them, so if you are interested in a few please feel free to send me an email and I can get you in touch with her. Thank you! HowWeeLearn@gmail.com

      Reply
  7. Kathy Blumberg says

    July 2, 2018 at 8:19 am

    I love reading books, but i really love storytelling. I’ve always just done that when i can’t put my hands on the books i need. However, i have never thought to teach the children some important lessons. I, like you, think the children are much more attentive to you if they are focused and you and the story. Thanks for a great launching pad!!

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      July 18, 2018 at 8:10 pm

      Thanks Kathy!

      Reply

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