Respecting Belongings Social Story

Meet Jayden and Riley

Jayden and Riley are friends in Counselor’s Club. They like to play with toys, crayons, and puzzles. One day, Jayden sees Riley’s red crayon on the table.

Jayden thinks: “That red crayon looks fun! I really want to use it.”

Asking First

Jayden remembers the rule: Respect Belongings means we only touch our own things or we ask first.

So Jayden says, “Riley, may I use your red crayon, please?”

Riley smiles and says, “Yes, you may use it!”

Jayden says, “Thank you!” and gently takes the crayon.

Playing and Returning

Jayden colors a beautiful picture of a sun. When Jayden is done, Jayden carefully puts the crayon back in Riley’s crayon box.

Jayden says: “Here is your red crayon back. Thank you for letting me use it!”

What Happens When We Don’t Ask?

What if Jayden just grabbed the crayon without asking? Riley might feel sad or upset. Riley might not want to share next time.

That’s why asking first is so important. It makes everyone feel happy and respected.

Your Turn: Practice Asking

Imagine you see a friend’s toy car you want to play with. What do you say?

“_______________________________________”

Great job! Remember: always ask first, then return items gently when you’re done.

Safe Hands Practice Activity

Time: 10 minutes
Materials:

• Safe Hands Visual Aid
• Puppets or stuffed animals
• Sticker Rewards

Steps

1. Introduction (1 min)
   • Show the Safe Hands Visual Aid and briefly review what “safe hands” means.
   • Ask the student to show their own safe hands once more.
2. Miming Gentle Actions (3 min)
   • Teacher calls out gentle actions (e.g., “high-five,” “gentle pat,” “open palms”).
   • Student mimes each action with safe hands.
   • Provide a sticker from Sticker Rewards for correct demonstrations.
3. Puppet Role-Play (4 min)
   • Use puppets or stuffed animals to act out two short scenarios:
     • Puppet A tries to grab Puppet B’s toy without asking
     • Puppet A asks, “May I use your toy?” and Puppet B smiles and shares
   • Invite the student to correct the first puppet by showing safe hands and modeling the polite request.
   • Praise and give a sticker for thoughtful role-play.
4. Safe Hands Freeze Game (1 min)
   • Student moves hands gently in the air to music or a simple rhythm.
   • Teacher says “Freeze!” and the student stops with safe hands in a calm posture.
   • Award one final sticker.
5. Wrap-Up (1 min)
   • Ask the student to show safe hands and say, “I will keep safe hands in counseling.”
   • Celebrate their learning with praise and remind them that safe hands help everyone feel happy and safe.

Tip for Teacher: Use enthusiastic praise and stickers generously to reinforce each correct behavior. Celebrate small successes to build confidence in safe hands skills!

Counseling Rules Poster

Counselor’s Club Rules

1. Safe Hands
   • Keep hands to yourself
   • Use gentle high-fives or pats
   • No hitting, grabbing, or pushing
2. Respect Belongings
   • Touch only your things
   • If it’s not yours, ask: “May I use this?”
   • Return items gently when you’re done

Let’s follow these rules to keep everyone safe and happy in counseling!

Sticker Rewards Guide

Purpose: Use stickers as positive reinforcement to encourage safe hands and respect for belongings during counseling sessions.

Preparation

• Have a variety of colorful stickers ready (stars, animals, shapes).
• Keep stickers within reach but out of sight until you’re ready to reward.

When to Give Stickers

1. Correct Demonstration: After the student shows safe hands or asks permission before touching an item.
2. Effort and Participation: When the student tries—even if imperfect—during role-play or discussion.
3. Verbal Commitment: Upon their promise: “I will keep safe hands and respect belongings.”

How to Deliver

• Be Immediate: Hand over the sticker right after the behavior you want to reinforce.
• Be Specific: Say, “Great job using safe hands!” or “Thank you for asking first—here’s a sticker!”
• Show Enthusiasm: Smile, use an encouraging tone, and make receiving a sticker a small celebration.

Placement and Tracking

• Offer stickers on a sticker chart or directly on the student’s counseling folder/page.
• Track how many stickers each student earns to celebrate growth over time.

Teacher Tips

• Vary sticker types to keep students excited.
• Occasionally surprise the student with a “bonus sticker” for extra kindness or effort.
• Use stickers sparingly enough that they remain special and motivating.

Stickers help build confidence and reinforce positive social skills!

Counseling Session Script

Materials Needed: Counseling Rules Poster, Safe Hands Visual Aid, Respecting Belongings Social Story, Sticker Rewards

1. Welcome and Rules Introduction (5 minutes)

Teacher (smiling, welcoming tone):
“Hi there, friend! I’m so happy you’re here in Counselor’s Club today. Please come sit with me. (Gesture to counseling area.)”

(Show the poster.)
Teacher: “Look at our special poster! We have two important rules to keep us safe and happy. Rule Number One is Safe Hands. Rule Number Two is Respect Belongings.

Now, can you say Safe Hands with me? (Pause for student.) Wonderful! And now, Respect Belongings. Excellent!”

Teacher: “Those are our two rules. Let’s learn more about each one!”

2. Discuss Safe Hands (8 minutes)

(Place Safe Hands Visual Aid in front of student.)

Teacher: “Here is our Safe Hands picture. Safe Hands means we keep our hands to ourselves in gentle ways. We can give high-fives or gentle pats, but we do not hit, grab, or push.”

Teacher: “Can you show me what Safe Hands look like? Hold your hands up and make them soft and calm.”

(Pause while student demonstrates.)

Teacher (enthusiastically): “Fantastic! Your hands look so gentle and friendly. Here’s a sticker for showing Safe Hands!” (Give sticker from Sticker Rewards.)

Teacher: “Now, let’s pretend. Show me what hitting or grabbing would look like.”

(Student demonstrates.)

Teacher: “That’s right, we don’t hit or grab. Instead, we keep our hands like this (model again). Great job!”

3. Social Story on Belongings (10 minutes)

Teacher (opening the story): “Next, we are going to read a story about how to Respect Belongings. Let’s read together!”

(Read from Respecting Belongings Social Story, pausing to ask questions.)

After reading the “Asking First” section:
Teacher: “What did Jayden say before using Riley’s crayon? Yes—‘May I use your red crayon, please?’ That is exactly right!”

After reading “Playing and Returning”:
Teacher: “And when Jayden finished, what did they do? That’s right—Jayden put the crayon back gently and said, ‘Here is your red crayon back. Thank you!’ Lovely job listening!”

Teacher: “Now let’s practice. Imagine this toy car is your friend’s. What do you say to ask to play?”

(Wait for student response.)

Teacher (praising): “Perfect! You said, ‘May I use your toy car, please?’ Here’s a sticker for asking so nicely!” (Give sticker.)

4. Wrap-Up and Commitment (7 minutes)

Teacher (pointing to poster and visual aid): “Let’s review our two rules one more time. What is Rule One?”

(Student: “Safe Hands.”)

Teacher: “Yes! And Rule Two?”

(Student: “Respect Belongings.”)

Teacher: “Amazing! Now, I want you to make a promise out loud. Say, ‘I will keep Safe Hands and Respect Belongings.’”

(Student repeats.)

Teacher (warm, proud voice): “I am so proud of you! You did a wonderful job today. Here’s one last sticker for your great work!” (Give final sticker.)

Teacher: “Remember, these rules help us feel safe and happy every time we’re in counseling. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Have a great day!”

End of Script.