How to be a Social Thinker is the theme this month in our Social Skills Training Program.
We all celebrate the holidays in our own specific ways and this year might feel very different to what we’re used to due to ongoing global pandemic challenges. However, we can still celebrate safely with a few modifications to our traditional festivities. Let’s support each other in finding safe ways to celebrate this season and to model being a flexible thinker when things go differently.
Here are some fun activities that we will be doing safely online:
Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Practice using “thinking with your eyes” to find these fun items that make this holiday season bright. We will discuss how everyone has a different perspective of these items (such as why this is your favorite gift).
- Holiday cookies/treats
- Winter coat/sweater
- Something green/red/white
- Christmas stocking
- Christmas tree
- Holiday photo
- Scarf/mittens/hat
- Christmas movie
- Holiday lights
- Ornament
- Wrapping paper
- Favorite gift of all time
Scavenger Hunt Riddles to share for parents to print out and hide at home! This will be beneficial for clients, testing their problem solving skills to find a treat.
Christmas Social Cards
To target perspective taking, our specialist and our client can take turns reading a “social card” and have the child identify a problem for that scenario. Also, have the child can use their problem-solving skills by coming up with possible solutions.
Thinking About Family
We will talk about things our client likes to do with each family member as well as what they like to do. We will help the child draw a picture of herself/himself and a family member doing an activity that they both enjoy. Model telling stories about family members and events. Sharing personal stories with friends and others is a great way to bond and build relationships.
People Files
For our older clients, we want to work with them using their people files. The clients pretend that they are buying a gift for someone else in their group. They will have to think outside of themselves and use their people files to consider that person’s interest. Many clients will say naturally say gift card or money so they will be encouraged to think a little harder. In this imaginary scenario, they have all the money in the world. We will remind the them that this is just to pretend. They are not expected to actually buy each other gifts.
Grateful Petals
We will provide a drawing of a flower and clients will write what they’re grateful for on each petal. This is a good conversation starter for why there is so much to be grateful for, even this year. What are you grateful for?
The above activities are just a sample of what we are highlighting this month.
Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe holiday season!
