Social Thinking Group Snippets

Hello Parents!
Here is a quick update about what is happening in Social Thinking Groups...


Kindergarten

• Our two Kinder groups have been working on learning about Whole Body Listening. Whole Body Listening is a core concept that is used throughout their entire school day. It teaches the students to observe whether their bodies are helping them pay attention (are your ears listening to the speaker? Are your eyes looking at the speaker? Are your hands/feet quiet? Is your bottom sitting? Is your brain thinking about the topic?).  We cue the kiddos by saying, "Show me Whole Body Listening!".  You can use this term at home to help your child pay attention to the family at the dinner table or attend to any task where they need to display attention to the group. 
•  If you would like a visual to cue Whole Body Listening at home, you can find a printable on   the right sidebar under the "Whole Body Listening" tab.
• Another tool that is very handy is the Whole Body Listening helper. This is a small object (an action figure, a lego piece, etc.). It sits on an index card where it "helps" the child monitor whether their body and brain is in the group. While it is on the card, it is not a toy, but a tool. As long as the child's body is facing the group and their body is helping them listen, the WBL  helper stay on the card. When the child's body or brain leaves the group, then the adult takes the WBL helper off the card and makes sure the child notices. Cue them with "Show me Whole Body Listening" and return the helper once the child has redirected his attention. At the end of the activity, if the WBL helper is still on the card, the child should earn a small reward for his efforts. Using this tool over time helps train the child to become more aware of his own attention.
• Here is an example of a Whole Body Listening helper.

 

1st Grade

• We have been also been re-teaching the concept of Whole Body Listening. Please see the above Kinder post for ideas and tools. 
• This week we will continue to practice Whole Body Listening in game format.

2nd Grade 

• The kids have been reviewing the concepts of Whole Body Listening and the tools a Social Detective uses by teaching it to the teachers! We are so excited to see how much they remember from last year and what a great job they did teaching it.
• We also began working on developing Conversation Skills by watching a video model. This week we will continue to learn more about conversation skills. 

5th Grade

• We have begun working on Conversation Skills by watching a video model and will continue to work on developing our conversation skills this week through role playing games. 

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