
Many times children do not know appropriate ways to manage their feelings or handle specific social situations. When this happens undesired behaviors can occur and become routine. One way to teach children what is expect is through using social stories. As a school social worker I use books and social stories every week with children to help them learn these skills. I have found that the books by Elizabeth Verdick and Martine Agassi to be well done and reinforce the behaviors that are expected. Most of the books in this series are written for the toddler and preschool level. They are great board books that state the expectation simply and are easy to go through. Some of the books are also offered for elementary age children. These books go more in depth into alternative behaviors and also give parental suggestions at the back. The nice thing about the books is they repeat the specific behaviors such as "hands are not for hitting" and state more appropriate behaviors "hands are for high 5s". These really are great books for kids.
List of books in the series:
Hands are not for Hitting
Teeth are not for Biting
Feet are not for Kicking
Words are not for Hurting
Tails are not for Pulling
Germs are not for Sharing
Calm Down Time
Meal Time
Clean up Time
Pacifiers are not Forever
Diapers are not Forever
Sharing Time
On the Go Time (release date this fall)
Bed Time
Listening Time
Nap time
Bye Bye Time
Sharing Time