Social Thinking and Me!: Kids’ Guidebook to Social Emotional Learning

Michelle Garcia Winner · Linda Murphy

Apr 2016 · Think Social Publishing, Inc.

About this ebook

In the first book in Social Thinking and Me, Kids' Guidebook for Social Emotional Learning, kids are introduced to Social Thinking Vocabulary and concepts that help them figure out what’s “expected” in different social contexts. Additionally, strategies are taught to give kids the tools needed to solve social problems. Concepts are explained using age-relevant social situations, cool illustrated pictures, and lots of group discussions that can aid each student on their journey to becoming a better social thinker. At the end of each chapter in book 1, expand and personalize the lesson by using the related thinksheets found in book 2! 

The Kids’ Guidebook is not meant to be read all at once, as many of the concepts/units take time to learn and work through. And even though it’s written in language that’s kid-friendly, the book is meant to be read and worked through first with an adult. Once the initial review has been completed and children are familiar with the concepts introduced in each chapter, they can revisit chapters or read them on their own. The language explored in each chapter can then be used in the classroom, home and community to help kids self-monitor and self-regulate their social selves based on what they are figuring out about the situation and the people around them!

Chapters cover essential Social Thinking concepts including:

·       What is Social Thinking

·       Social Thinking = Flexible Thinking

·       We All Have Feelings

·       Thinking With Your Eyes

·       Thinking About the Hidden Rules and Expected Behavior

·       Keeping my Body, Eyes, Ears, and Brain in the Group

·       Thinking of Others vs Just Me

·       How Big is My Problem?

·       Thinking About My Reaction Size

·       Doing an Activity or Just Hanging Out

About the author

Michelle Garcia Winner, MA, CCC-SLP, is the founder and CEO of Social Thinking and a globally recognized thought leader, author, speaker, and social-cognitive therapist. She is dedicated to helping people of all ages develop social emotional learning, including those with social learning differences. Across her 30-year career she has created numerous evidence-based strategies, treatment frameworks, and curricula to help interventionists develop social competencies in those they support. Michelle's work also teaches how social competencies impact people's broader lives, including their ability to foster relationships and their academic and career performance. She and her team continually update the Social Thinking® Methodology based on the latest research and insights they learn from their clients.

Linda Murphy MS, CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist and RDI® Consultant working at her private practice, Peer Projects Therapy From the Heart, in Beverly, MA. Linda loves to work closely with families and to help her clients form positive connections with others. She also loves to use writing to share information near and dear to her heart. She co-authored Social Thinking and Me with Michelle Garcia Winner, Declarative Language Handbook, and has published several articles in Autism Spectrum Quarterly and Autism Asperger's Digest Magazine.