Social stories are good for a variety of reasons. They assist in preparing for new experiences, reducing anxiety in social settings, and promoting positive behavior. They act as a guide for better social navigation.
Good social stories are inclusive. They can cover a wide range of social situations and diverse groups of people. They may be about different cultures getting along, different ages interacting, or different genders working together. For instance, a story could be about an elderly person and a young person collaborating on a community project, highlighting mutual respect and the value of different perspectives in achieving a common goal.
The story of TOMS Shoes is also a great social good story. For every pair of shoes sold, TOMS donates a pair to a child in need. This simple business model has provided shoes to countless children in developing countries, protecting their feet from diseases and allowing them to attend school more easily. It shows how a business can have a positive social impact.
One Christmas social story could be about a family who adopts a lonely old neighbor for the Christmas holidays. They invite him over, decorate the Christmas tree together, and share a big meal. It shows the spirit of togetherness during Christmas.
Well, writing good social stories requires a combination of elements. You need to have a compelling plot that grabs attention, authentic characters that people can connect with, and a message that resonates. Also, keep the language simple and easy to understand.
One example is when a player in a soccer game helps an opponent who has fallen. Instead of taking advantage of the situation, they show kindness and sportsmanship. Another example could be in a tennis match, where a player gracefully accepts a wrong call against them without making a fuss.
It spreads positivity. When good stories are shared, it makes people feel good and gives them hope. For example, a story about a successful community project can inspire others to do the same.
One common 4 year old social story could be about sharing toys. For example, a story where a little boy has many toys and his friend comes over. At first, he doesn't want to share but then realizes that sharing makes his friend happy and they can have more fun together. Another could be about saying 'please' and 'thank you'. A little girl goes to a store and asks for a lollipop without using nice words at first, but then learns that when she says 'please', the shopkeeper is much nicer to her. And also a story about waiting for one's turn. A group of kids are playing on a swing and one child has to learn to wait patiently for his turn.
A clear goal for the main character. If the character is trying to win a competition, it gives direction to the story. And along the way, there can be obstacles related to achieving that goal, which makes the plot more interesting.
One type of free middle school social story could be about making new friends. For example, stories that show how a new student joins a group, overcomes shyness, and starts building relationships. Another could be about dealing with peer pressure, like a character who says no to something they know is wrong despite their friends' persuasion. Also, stories about handling conflicts in a positive way, such as two students having an argument but then finding a compromise through communication.
A story that inspired me was of a group of students who used social media to start a campaign for environmental protection. They posted pictures of polluted areas and shared ways to reduce waste. It got a huge response, and many schools joined in their initiative.