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Bullying Self-Regulation Social Stories and Other Resources

Bullying, Self-Regulation Social Stories and Other Resources

Bullying and Self-Regulation can be a difficult area for children with special needs  to cope with. Those on the Autism Spectrum often find it hard to understand emotions and related to others.  They can usually benefit greatly from visual aids and fun ways of learning.; and social stories are often recommended for those on the Spectrum. So I was keen to find out more about a range of books by Jennifer Anzin, who has written inclusive programs for children with special needs on Bullying and Self-Regulation. I was sent the 5 books mentioned below for purposes of review, all opinions are honest and my own.Bullying Self-Regulation Social Stories and Other Resources

Devon the Digger’s Difficult Day

The book begins with a story about how Devon is having a bad day and doesn’t care how he affects others. But his friend Frederick makes him think about times when he has been upset and asks him how he would feel. Then Devon finds a strategy that he will use next time he is mad. Devon then goes off to apologise and put things right. The book then uses activities to Build Cooperation and Caring – these are useful tools for all children (and even adults!). In fact we have been using the Say it Forward (when you say something nice about someone else) at dinner time, and I really like the idea of having a bag of phrases in case people find it difficult to think of something. Next are Songs to Build Empathy and Caring, Anti-Bullying Strategies (with more singing) and finally a Game. I think the book is full of great ideas but is really for children in a group setting and not as helpful for a parent at home (especially if the child does not have siblings). I am not sure how much the use of vehicles would help a child on the spectrum relate the story back to people – but does give them the opportunity of making things more concrete in their minds.Bullying Self-Regulation Social Stories and Other Resources

The Terrible Tantrums of Timmy the Truck

This story is about Timmy the Truck who is a bully. It explains why Timmy behaves the way he does and that lashing out, especially to Arthur the Engine, does not make him feel better. After talking to Timmy Angela the Airplane and Timmy’s parents promise to help him learn new ways to deal with his anger and to make friends. The book explains what Timmy does to help him cope with his anger and then he went off to apologise to Arthur. Timmy followed the rules of conduct and played with the rest of the class and felt part of the team. The book then goes on to explain different Strategies to Stop Bullying Behaviour – including yoga activities (such as child’s pose, balloon breath, train yoga and lion yoga – which are explained within the book). Next are the games such as The Anger, Self-Regulation Fishing Game and A, B, C…Calm Down with Me. Again I am not sure how concrete the story is by using vehicles and I am not sure it is a fair representation for a child with additional needs. My son would break things without considering how the other person is feeling but I do think the label “bully” is a bit harsh. To me a bully is one who does it deliberately to upset people. In saying that it is refreshing to have something where the problem needing to be addressed is because the child is the bully rather than the bullied – and the techniques are great.Bullying Self-Regulation Social Stories and Other Resources

The Incredible Shrinking Bully

This book again is about Timmy being mean to Arthur, but this time it does appear more that he is deliberately being nasty. It is more about Arthur feeling safe and his friends helping him to learn to stop being bullied. Interesting to read the two books together because from Timmy’s side of the story things are really different. Maybe there could be some discussion as to how children with special needs may be upsetting children without meaning to – and we should give them empathy and support to help them change – as opposed to singling them out and not wanting to play! This book has songs again and colouring pages with the story told again. I think the message here is simple (don’t suffer in silence) so the strategies weren’t as in depth. I think I would like to see the two books combined – and as I say, seeing things from both perspectives.

The Anger Train

I loved this story. It uses the imagery of an anger train inside to explain the emotion. This book has pictures of people, and explains how to help the anger (train) calm down. The back of the book has other ideas (again such as Yoga and the Fishing Game).Bullying Self-Regulation Social Stories and Other Resources

Goodbye Anger Monster – Jennifer Anzin and Cathy Kerr

This again is like the Anger Train but instead it is a monster. Again I like that the book has visuals of people that children with special needs can relate to. There are a few different techniques to reduce the anger as the anger monster disappears. Again the back of the book has other ideas (again such as Yoga and the Fishing Game).Bullying Self-Regulation Social Stories and Other Resources

Generally I think these books are great social stories with many useful ideas and resources for helping children to cope with self-regulation and bullying. In all honesty I do think the illustrations could do with some work, but then their simple nature may make it easier for a child with additional needs relate to. I would recommend these books for the strategies, but think the stories are not to be read alone but discussed.

Jennifer Anzin is an Early Childhood Consultant with over 20 years of experience working with children in child care centres, nursery school programs, J.k./S.k. and school age programs. Jennifer has drawn upon her experiences with children with special needs to write anti-bullying and self-regulation children’s books for parents, teachers and other professionals to use with children from the ages of 3 years-8 years. The books contain practical strategies and activities within the stories, as well as additional help which may be incorporated into their daily routines. These books are available on amazon.uk for approximately £4.60 per book.  There are also two free children’s stories, “Frederick the Fire Truck” and “Arthur the Engine” available on the website http://thewhisperersaga.com on request.

Another Post of interest: How to teach Anger through Craft

I received these books free of charge for purposes of review. All opinions are honest and my own.

my curious brain of noise

My Curious Brain of Noise – Sarah Froggatt

My Curious Brain of Noise – Sarah Froggatt

If you ever wanted an insight into why your child (or one you teach) is fine with something one day and not the next; why they are particular about sitting on a particular chair or can’t sit still, or a million other things that puzzle you about their behaviour then My Curious Brain of Noise could be just for you.

The story follows Luca who, amongst other things, has sensory issues. He doesn’t like to sit on the blue mat and likes to sit on a particular chair at school (the one with the white dot). If only people could take the time to listen and understand him it would make his (and their) lives much easier. This story shows the importance of a good school – one that tries to understand, of communicating with the child with sensory issues, of how they feel when their mother gets upset about their behaviours, it tackles bullying in school (because he is just different) and of course how everyday things can affect them so much (amongst many many other things).

my curious brain of noise

My Opinions on My Curious Brian of Noise

I feel that this book is a great insight into Sensory Processing Disorder for those who are new to the condition, whilst also providing a deeper understanding to those already knowledgeable. The story really helped me stop and take another look at how things may be for The Sensory Seeker and understand why some of his behaviours come about. Plus it reinforced my beliefs that communication is key. It was extremely well written with a mix of fact, humour and great story telling. Believe me I do not get much time to read and I need to “get into” a book to read it – this definitely had that. I loved the illustrations that not only broke the book up a bit more but further went on to explain what was going on in Luca’s head.

I recommend you go get this book – even if you don’t want to understand Sensory Processing Disorder it is a very good read.

ISBN 9781501025853

Ages 9+

Sarah Froggatt

Limeylimericks.com

I was sent this book as the author felt that I may benefit from reading it. All words and opinions are my own.

dinosaur books

Dinosaurs #KidsCoop

All about the Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs are always a popular area of interest but with the new Jurassic World film coming out this year I think that they are going to be more popular than ever. Dinosaurs are popular in our house – we had a dinosaur bedroom, a dinosaur party, played with the dinosaur in ice and even invited the dinosaurs to dinner!!

We have just had The Sensory Seeker’s annual review (as he has a Statement of Special Education Needs) and have discovered that he is now working at National Curriculum levels in Maths and Reading. This is fantastic news and we feel that he has benefited from all the extra support he receives. So I am pleased to share with you two books that Parragon have sent us to review on the subject of Dinosaurs.

Dinosaur Books

dinosaurs

Dino Supersaurus T-Rex Terror – The Supersaurus Legend Begins

Dino Supersaurus T-Rex Terror - The Supersaurus Legend BeginsThis is a beautifully illustrated book set in a cartoon strip. That’s lots of action and the pictures tell the story to help with the words. It really is a book for slightly older children but it was good to read with The Sensory Seeker picking out high frequency words I know he knows. Thus making it fun and rewarding for him. The only thing he found confusing was that the speech is written in capital letters – but it was good to explain to him about different types of text (not that I am sure he got it at his age).

£5.99 ISBN: 978- 1 -4723 – 6466 – 1

Gold Stars Travel Back Through Time to The Land of Dinosaurs

dinosaur booksThis book is fantastic and maintains interest for a long time. Again fantastically illustrated and filled with lots of facts and fun. The book has contents, glossary and index pages which I think are great in a children’s book. Through the book children learn all about dinosaurs in an enjoyable and interactive way with puzzles, mazes, colouring in, observations and much more. Every page is just bursting with life, and there’s so much to see, do and learn.

£7.99 ISBN: 978- 1 – 4723 – 5781 – 6

Find over 450 great dinosaur posts on my Dinosaur Pinterest Board

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I was sent the 2 books free of charge from Parragon Books as part of their blogger programme. All words and opinions are my own.