Social Interaction Skills

Week 1
Discuss the importance of friends and family in their lives. Also discuss the differences among family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers. Make a family and friend tree with photos. Have your students talk and write a short story about a memorable adventure with a friend or family member.

Week 2
Discuss the importance of "looking your best." For the teens, go to the beauty counter or men's section of a local store. Girls can schedule a free makeover. For the boys, have the clerk help with sampling men's colognes. Discuss why looking your best is important to them.

Week 3
Discuss how to make and be a friend. What are positive behaviors among friends? What are examples of friendship activities? Encourage interest in others, complimenting the performances of others, and seeking their opinions. Have them invite friends to play. Talk about good manners and turn taking. Have them plan and give a BBQ/picnic with their special pals.

Week 4
Good body posture is important to making a good impression. Have your students observe role models on video or by observing other people. Good options for teaching nonverbal skills is through the DCMP described and captioned curricula.

Resources:

Resources for the Expanded Core Curriculum (RECC)

Loumiet, R., & Levack, N. (1993). Independent Living Series. Austin: Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Independent Living Series

Sewell, D. (Ed.). (2007). EVALS: Evaluating visually impaired students. Austin: Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
EVALS (Evaluating Visually Impaired Students)

Fazzi, D.L., & Pogrund, R.L. (2002). Early focus: Working with young children who are blind or visually impaired and their families. New York: AFB Press.

Kernel Series: A series of books containing inspirational stories written by blind people about themselves. Published by National Federation of the Blind

Social Skills ECC Audio Library

Teens' Voices ECC Audio Library

DCMP Resources:

Madam President

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Do Unto Otters