Understanding our own and others’ thoughts and feelings is a part of our daily human experience, no matter where we are or what we are doing by ourselves or with others—reading, watching, writing, participating in groups, or interacting. It’s a critical function of our social minds, which grow and evolve with age. Social emotional learning is cumulative throughout our lives, so let’s get down to teaching what being social really means—to all children!
As soon as children start school, they are placed into learning groups, and it’s assumed that they bring with them basic knowledge of how to work, learn, play in groups, form relationships, and feel included to help themselves and others succeed. This knowledge is rarely taught explicitly. It’s as if we expect all children, beginning at age four, to cooperate, to understand that other people are different from them, that each of us is unique and has our own thoughts and feelings.
The reality is they don’t. Yet, throughout our 25+ years of research, practice, and teaching, we’ve found that when children learn the mechanics of why and how we actually do this using our social minds—it helps them develop deeper insights into what is going on around them. That’s why classrooms, schools, and hundreds of thousands of interventionists around the world are teaching the award-winning Social Thinking curricula and resources to their elementary school-age students.
The Social Thinking Methodology provides specific vocabulary and different developmentally based curricula, lessons, strategies, and activities—created especially for elementary school children. Social Thinking unpacks how the social world works and why for interventionists (educators, therapists & parents) and their social learners, so that all children can have access to understanding and learning how to navigate the social world and move toward improvement in their own social goals.
Explore our broad range of products, online courses, and free resources for teaching practical concepts, vocabulary, and strategies to help guide social learners in some of the most significant learning of their lives.
Tips & Tools for Adapting Teaching to Students’ Needs
Hey Awesome explains how the same brain that can make a child feel anxious sometimes, also comes with amazing strengths. This book also includes powerful tips for children on how they can manage their anxiety. First, we let them know how awesome they are, then we give them what they need to feel it for themselves.
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Empower children to manage their anxiety by learning that it comes from a place of protective strength within their brains—the amygdala—a tiny but fierce personal “warrior” that prepares us to fight or flee danger, even when we don’t need or want its protection! Wonderful illustrations and keen insights gently teach children how to be the boss of their brains and let their warriors know when to stand down and relax through positive thinking and breathing exercises. By understanding the physical science of anxiety and why their brains produce it, children can then learn to master it as a positive, friendly superpower.
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Frustrated parents who are tired of chaos will find concrete, actionable guidance for raising an independent, self-assured, and organized child. Dr Korb defines the neurodevelopmental abilities that are critical for organization and shows parents how to develop their children’s organized thinking skills.
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Friendship is complicated for kids. Children everywhere want to be liked, fit in with a group, and be good at sports—but most kids struggle at times. This practical, research-based friendship guide has plenty of true-to-life examples presented through more than 200 lighthearted cartoons that make learning fun for kids. With this book, children learn strategies to help them build meaningful friendships and navigate the challenges that come up along the way.
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Strategies to Build Social Competencies
The Social Thinking Methodology provides evidence-based strategies to help people ages four through adult develop their social competencies, flexible thinking & social problem solving to meet their own social goals and improve:
Parents & Families
Thank you doesn’t seem enough for all that your teachings have done for me and my family! They have been a lifeline for me to re-connect with my 9-year-old. Everything you publish is 100% applicable. Keep up the amazing work!
Elementary School
Social Thinking has completely changed the environment of who we are as a whole. Thank you for providing us with such rich social and emotional resources. The impact that your resources make are life changing and early intervention is key. Your curriculum is truly amazing! I bought into Social Thinking about 9 years ago and will use this as long as I am in education.
Schools
I appreciate how the Social Thinking Methodology links social intent/thinking and the common core or school based standards. This connection, and the understanding that exists, is so crucial to every member of a student's school community.
Mental Health & Clinicians
The Social Thinking Methodology is the philosophy that I ascribe to professionally. It serves as my guide through assessment and intervention.
Speech Language Pathologists
I love how realistic the approach is, and doable! Based on real clinical experience adaptable to individual needs/strengths. Great that all the vocabulary is simple, easy to understand, and not full of professional shop talk.
Parents & Families
Social Thinking’s program has given me the much needed tools to communicate in a meaningful way with my 9-year-old son. Thank you. The stress level in our house has decreased along with the meltdowns. He is able to come out of the meltdowns much more readily.
Adult Clients
I am a professional, high-functioning 37 year old woman diagnosed as being on the spectrum two years ago. The Social Thinking Methodology is by far the most helpful resource I have encountered. It would not be an exaggeration to say that it changed my life. Your concrete examples are extremely helpful.
