At Pathways to Potential, we passionately believe in using social stories to prepare for the Christmas season as a fantastic tool to help children navigate the various changes and expectations that come with Christmas. Social stories can clarify routines, outline social expectations, and reduce anxiety while also promoting understanding and engagement. Here is a guide featuring key holiday topics, which you can present in your very own social stories!
If you would like to save some time, Amanda McGuinness from Little Puddins has posted a great free social story resource on Teachers Pay Teachers for you to download:
1. Children Being Off School for Christmas
Objective: Help your child understand the break from school, what it means, and how to enjoy their time off.
Content: Explain to your child that school will be closed for Christmas. Highlight the fun activities they can do during this time, like spending time with family, playing games, or enjoying holiday movies. You can also print pictures of any special outings or family members to help them anticipate changes in routine positively.
2. Writing a Letter to Santa
Objective: Familiarize your child with the tradition of writing to Santa to express their wishes.
Content: Create a step-by-step guide outlining how to write the letter. Start with greeting Santa, writing down what they would like for Christmas, and ending with a polite closing. Encourage your child to draw or decorate their letters with holiday-themed stickers, making the activity fun and engaging.
3. Putting Up the Tree and Decorations
Objective: Reduce anxiety about decorating and the changes in their environment.
Content: Share the steps involved in putting up the Christmas tree and decorations. Describe where the tree will go and what ornaments and lights look like. You might say, "We will take the decorations out from the box, choose our favorite ones, and make the tree look beautiful together!" This helps visualize the process and reduce uncertainty.
4. Opening/Not Opening Presents
Objective: Prepare your child for the excitement, uncertainties, and emotional responses associated with gifts.
Content: Address the differences between opening presents at different times (e.g., Christmas morning versus during a party). Emphasize that not all gifts need to be opened immediately and that it's okay to save some for later. Use clear illustrations to depict various situations regarding presents, which will help your child manage expectations.
5. Giving and Receiving Gifts
Objective: Teach social expectations when it comes to gift-giving and receiving.
Content: Create separate sections about giving and receiving gifts. Discuss how it feels nice to give a gift to others and the importance of saying “thank you” when receiving one. You can role-play scenarios to practice responses and expressions in different situations, making both giving and receiving less daunting.
6. What to Do When You Don’t Like Your Gift or Already Have the Same Gift
Objective: Provide coping strategies for handling disappointment gracefully.
Content: Teach your child that it's okay not to love every gift and that they can express their feelings honestly. Discuss possible responses, like saying, “Thank you for thinking of me,” and ways to handle repeating gifts (e.g., suggesting a different use). Emphasizing feelings and polite communication will empower them in social situations.
7. Christmas Eve Activity
Objective: Create positive anticipation for the special activities on Christmas Eve.
Content: Outline your family’s specific Christmas Eve traditions, whether it’s reading a holiday book, enjoying cookies, or watching a favorite movie. Describe the excitement leading to Christmas Day, helping your child understand the festive atmosphere.
8. Staying in Bed
Objective: Help your child understand the concept of waiting and the importance of staying in bed before it’s time to get up.
Content: Use visuals to illustrate staying in bed and settling down for the night. Teach them about the excitement of the morning ahead and what activities they can look forward to when it’s finally time to get up.
9. Opening Presents
Objective: Build excitement while preparing for the sensory experience of gift opening.
Content: Create enthusiasm around present-opening by outlining the sequence of events for Christmas morning. Include the expectation of taking turns and savoring the moment, which will help your child manage the excitement and stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed
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