Halloween is the featured focus in both our Social Skills Training Program and Floortime Program.
Both programs are also hosting Halloween Week centering around a variety of activities for our clients.
SSTP Theme: Pumpkins have Feelings, Too!
The targeted skills covered this month are Safety Awareness/ Stranger Danger/ Perspective Taking/ Initiation/Social rules-Expected behavior.
Examples of activities include:
- Pumpkins have feelings, Too! Draw pumpkins with various facial expressions. Have the child identify and then act out how the pumpkins might be feeling and what they might say, depending on how they look. Trick or Treat: Role play trick or treating with the child. Point out that it is a nice gesture when people give out candy and treats and that he must show appreciation by thanking them and treating them with respect.
- Ghouls and Goblins: After the child has chosen what he wants to be for Halloween, have him figure out what accessories that character might need and how he might act based on his knowledge of the character. Role play how he will act when he is “in character” if he goes to a party or goes trick or treating.
- Detective: Look at people in costumes or photos of people in costumes and help the child determine how they feel and what they might say (eg. How does the witch feel and what does she say? Encourage the child to use what she already knows about the character to make smart guesses about their feelings and how they express themselves.
Floortime Theme: Trick or Treat!
Underlying principle is for the child to learn the safety behind going trick or treating and why people are often dressed in costumes. it is important for the child to understand the expected/unexpected behaviors while out trick or treating. A variety of activities will be featured during Halloween week 10/24 – 10/31. Clients are encouraged to come to their session in costume.
Stay tuned for photos from Halloween week both in our El Monte and San Gabriel offices.