Social Skills
True or False: It's good manners to greet people when they walk into the room.
True.
It is okay to talk with your mouth full of food?
No, it is not okay. It is gross and can make others uncomfortable.
If someone engages with you while your mouth is full, you can wait to response until after you swallow the food.
If you notice someone's mouth is full of food, you can wait to engage with them until they appear ready to respond.
What is a question you can ask someone to get to know them better?
Examples:
What is your name? Do you have any pets? What do you do for fun?
True or false: I should clean up the table and area around me after I finish eating.
TRUE. You should always clean up after yourself (at home, school, CFA).
When you finish eating, throw out your trash, wipe off the table, sweep any food that fell on the floor, and wash your hands if needed!
You are walking and see a big puddle of water on the floor in the hallway. What should you do?
Tell a staff member right away so no one slips!
True or False: It is okay to give someone a nickname.
IT DEPENDS.
With close friends and people you know very well, it can be more socially acceptable to give them nicknames.
However, if someone express that they would prefer to be called something or that they do not like the nickname you've given them, it is not socially acceptable to continue calling them the name.
If your face or hands get dirty while you're eating, what should you do to keep clean?
Wipe/wash your mouth with a napkin.
Wipe your hands with a napkin or wash your hands with soap and water.
What makes someone a friend?
Liking similar things
Trust
Kindness
Respect
Share one thing you like about yourself.
One thing I like about myself is .....
Share one way you can be a good friend.
...
True or False: It's OK to take other people's things.
False: You should always ask if you can use something that doesn't belong to you.
True or False: When I don't like the game my friend is playing, it is OK to tell them I don't like that game and I don't want to play.
False: Instead we can compromise or take turns playing different games
True or false: It is okay to ignore people you aren't friends with.
FALSE. It is not socially acceptable to ignore people you are not friends with.
You are not expected to be friends with everyone at the center, but it is expected that you show kindness and respect to your peers regardless!
True or False: Friends get in fights or arguments sometimes.
True
Is someone cutting in front of you a small, medium, or large problem.
If you do not like someone, it is okay to be rude to them?
FALSE, we're allowed to dislike people, but it is expected that we remain respectful and kind.
If the person is being mean or disrespectful to you, you can tell a therapist, and they will address the issue.
If someone has upset you, what should you do?
Try to keep myself calm, ask to take a break, and/or speak with a therapist!
True or false: If someone does something mean to me, I should do it back to them?
FALSE. Being mean back will only make the problem worse. Try to use your words and be a problem-solver. If you cannot resolve the conflict on your own, ask a therapist for help!
Practice using an I Statement. Pretend someone took something off your desk at school.
I feel _____ when you _____ can you please____.
Is someone calling you stupid a small, medium, or large problem.
Small. Maybe medium.
How do we show kindness to others in your classroom?
Follow directions, say hello, offer to play with them...
True or false: When I use materials/equipment from the classroom, I put them back where I found them after I'm finished using them.
TRUE. It is expected that all materials and equipment be returned after you use them.
If we do not return materials/equipment or if we put them somewhere other than where I found them, they may get lost and we would no longer be able to use them.
What skills or tools can you use if you are really upset.
Talk to someone, ask for a break, water, fidget, deep breaths....
What is one way you can calm down at school? Who is a trusted adult you can talk to at school?
...
What is one way that you deal with a person who is not saying kind things to you?
You can tell them to stop, let them know that what they are saying is mean, you can remind yourself that you do not have to listen or believe what they say.
Tell a therapist if you are having trouble dealing with the situation on your own!