It can be difficult getting children ready for activities or events they aren’t used to, and even more challenging going to a place they don’t enjoy. Today’s blog will talk about the benefits of using social stories, a method that can be very helpful for preparing your children for situations like this.

A social story works by using a combination of words and pictures to explain an activity that is about to take place, and what to expect throughout that activity. They can also help explain what is expected of the child during the activity and what might happen after the activity is completed. This is a great method to help children prepare for family outings that aren’t a part of their typical routine, like a trip to the zoo or a water park, or major life events such as moving or having a baby. They can also help reinforce appropriate behavior throughout an activity they may not like. Social stories can also help children handle unexpected changes, such as a planned trip to the pool or water park getting cancelled at the last minute due to a storm.

It may be beneficial to print off social stories and keep them with you during big events, as some children may need occasional reminders. This link will provide you with several free-to-download social stories from a wide range of categories, or you can click here to learn how to create your own social stories.

Thanks for reading! We hope you found this post useful, and helps make planning your family’s outings easier and less stressful. Be sure to stay up-to-date on the latest blogs for more tips and guides, and follow us on social media to see what’s new at Gateway!