What to Do When My Routine Changes – Social Story for Kids

Introduction

Navigating changes in routine can be challenging for children, especially those who thrive on structure. "What to Do When My Routine Changes" is a thoughtfully crafted social story PDF designed to help children understand and adapt to changes in their daily routines. By using real-life images and simple, relatable language, this resource aids children in recognizing and managing their emotions and responses when faced with unexpected changes. This social story is particularly beneficial for children in speech therapy, occupational therapy, and special education settings, as well as for parents looking to support their child's emotional and social development at home.

Product Details

• Format: Printable PDF
• Total Pages: 11
• Social Story: 8 pages, divided into 16 segments, each featuring a real image and a first-person narrative sentence
• Vocabulary and Spelling (Page 9): Includes 5 vocabulary words with multiple-choice definitions and 5 spelling words with correct and incorrect options
• Comprehension and Open-Ended Questions (Page 10): Designed to reinforce understanding and encourage critical thinking
• Role-Play Activities (Page 11): Engaging scenarios to practice social skills and adaptability
• Ideal For: Children in early childhood education, special education, speech therapy, and home learning environments

Additional Learning Activities:

Educational Benefits

1. Enhances Emotional Regulation

• Helps children identify and manage their feelings when routines change unexpectedly.
• Encourages self-awareness and emotional resilience by providing strategies to cope with change.

2. Builds Flexibility and Adaptability

• Teaches children how to adjust to new situations and embrace change positively.
• Promotes problem-solving skills by offering practical solutions for dealing with disruptions.

3. Supports Language and Literacy Development

• Expands vocabulary and spelling skills through targeted activities, enhancing language comprehension.
• Improves reading skills with simple, first-person narrative sentences that are easy to follow.

4. Strengthens Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

• Encourages empathy and understanding by exploring how changes affect themselves and others.
• Reinforces social skills through role-play activities, helping children practice real-life scenarios.

5. Provides Visual Learning Support

• Utilizes real-life images to enhance understanding and retention, especially beneficial for visual learners.
• Offers a structured approach that is particularly supportive for children with autism or sensory processing challenges.

Instructions for Use

Step 1: Read the Social Story

• Begin by reading the social story with the child in a quiet, comfortable setting.
• Discuss each segment, focusing on the images and narrative to ensure comprehension.
• Encourage the child to express their thoughts and feelings about each scenario.

Step 2: Vocabulary and Spelling Activities

• Review the vocabulary and spelling section on Page 9.
• Ask the child to choose the correct definitions and spellings, reinforcing language skills.
• Discuss the meanings of the words in the context of the story to deepen understanding.

Step 3: Comprehension and Open-Ended Questions

• Engage with the comprehension questions on Page 10.
• Encourage the child to think critically and express their ideas about the story.
• Use open-ended questions to prompt discussion and explore the child's personal experiences with routine changes.

Step 4: Role-Play Activities

• Use the role-play scenarios on Page 11 to practice adaptability and social skills.
• Act out different situations where a routine might change, encouraging the child to use strategies from the story.
• Provide positive feedback and guidance to help the child feel confident in handling changes.

Step 5: Reinforce and Review

• Revisit the social story regularly to reinforce learning and build confidence.
• Encourage the child to apply the strategies in real-life situations, offering support and praise for their efforts.
• Share the resource with teachers and therapists to ensure consistent support across different environments.

Activities Using the Resource

1. Picture and Sentence Matching

Objective: Enhance comprehension by connecting visual cues with narrative text.

How to Play:

• Print each segment separately and cut out the images and sentences.
• Mix them up and ask the child to match each image with its corresponding sentence.
• Discuss the scene depicted in each match to deepen understanding.

Skill Development:

• Visual literacy
• Reading comprehension
• Attention to detail

2. Vocabulary Exploration

Objective: Expand language skills through interactive word exploration.

How to Play:

• Use the vocabulary section on Page 9.
• Create flashcards with the vocabulary words and their definitions.
• Play a matching game where the child pairs words with their correct meanings.

Skill Development:

• Vocabulary acquisition
• Word recognition
• Critical thinking

3. Spelling Bee

Objective: Reinforce correct spelling through engaging activities.

How to Play:

• Use the spelling section on Page 9.
• Conduct a mini spelling bee, asking the child to spell each word aloud.
• Provide immediate feedback and discuss any mistakes.

Skill Development:

• Spelling accuracy
• Phonetic awareness
• Confidence in language use

4. Comprehension Discussion

Objective: Foster critical thinking and personal connection to the story.

How to Play:

• Review the comprehension questions on Page 10.
• Encourage the child to answer each question, prompting them to explain their reasoning.
• Relate questions to the child's own experiences with routine changes.

Skill Development:

• Critical thinking
• Self-expression
• Empathy development

5. Role-Play Scenarios

Objective: Practice adaptability and social skills in a safe environment.

How to Play:

• Use the role-play activities on Page 11.
• Act out scenarios where routines change, such as a surprise visit from a friend.
• Encourage the child to use strategies from the story to handle the changes.

Skill Development:

• Social adaptability
• Emotional regulation
• Problem-solving

6. Routine Change Journal

Objective: Apply learning to real-life situations and track progress.

How to Play:

• Create a journal where the child records any changes in their routine.
• After each change, discuss how they felt and which strategies they used.
• Review entries weekly to celebrate successes and discuss challenges.

Skill Development:

• Reflective thinking
• Emotional awareness
• Long-term retention of strategies

Conclusion

The "What to Do When My Routine Changes" social story PDF is a comprehensive resource designed to support children in understanding and adapting to changes in their daily routines. By using real-life images and simple, first-person narratives, this resource helps children connect emotionally and cognitively with the content, making it particularly effective for those in special education, speech therapy, and home learning environments. The inclusion of vocabulary, spelling, comprehension, and role-play activities further enhances language development and social-emotional learning. This resource is ideal for parents, teachers, and therapists seeking to equip children with the skills needed to navigate routine changes with confidence and resilience.