Holidays can be SO TOUGH for our students that rely on structure and routine. But changes in schedule and special events ARE apart of life and therefore an important life. My biggest tip for these times is to NOT keep students in the dark- support them in every way you know how!
Social Stories:
Use social stories to introduce routines and holidays to your students in a way they are familiar with. Review the social story leading up to the event and continue to review it the day of the event.
Visual Schedules:
We use visual schedules for our daily routine- but how often do we accidentally drop the ball for special events! Be prepared with visual schedules for every holiday that sneaks up on you. Support students with schedule for school events AND home events!
Taste Tests:
Holidays and special events also bring along different foods which can be a trigger for many students. We use cooking during these times to introduce and taste test new foods!
You don’t have to stray from routine.
Stick to your normal schedule and just replace this weeks story and comprehension with the social story and comprehension worksheet from this pack. It will keep students on track, communicates changes to them in a familiar format, and holds on to the structure they need to be successful.