A social story tells a child, in calm and simple words, what happens in a situation and what they can do. These 12 printable stories cover school routines and big feelings, for children of about 4 to 8.
Every story is illustrated with one child from start to finish, in the real place: the hallway, the carpet, the playground. Read any story on screen; two are free to print.
Tap a story to read every page. Fire Drill and Staying With My Class are free to download.
When We Have a Fire DrillThe loud alarm, lining up, going outside and back inSafe HandsWhat hands can do when I feel mad, instead of hitting
My Personal SpaceAbout an arm away, and asking before a hug
Waiting My TurnWaiting for the slide, to talk and in lineFree
Staying With My ClassAsking for a break instead of running off
Walking in a LineLining up and walking in the hallway
When I Feel UpsetBig feelings and ways to help my body calm down
When the Answer Is NoFeeling sad about a no, and doing the next thing
When I Make a MistakeMistakes, losing a game and trying again
Asking for HelpWho to ask, what to say, and waiting if they are busy
Sharing With FriendsTaking turns, timers and playing togetherWhen Plans ChangeInside recess, a new teacher, a moved tripEach story comes three ways, ready to print. Tap a cover to look inside.
6 storiesFire drills, safe hands, personal space, waiting, staying with the class and walking in a line.
Get the 6 stories for $7
6 storiesFeeling upset, hearing no, making mistakes, asking for help, sharing and changes of plan.
Get the 6 stories for $7A social story is a short story that explains one everyday situation from the child's point of view: what happens, why, how people might feel and what the child can do. Carol Gray first described social stories in 1991 for autistic children. Today special education teachers, speech therapists and parents use them with many young children, before a fire drill, a change of plan or a hard moment with friends.
A good social story is written in the first person, in short literal sentences. It mostly describes rather than gives orders, names feelings calmly ("That is okay"), gives the child something they can do, and never promises what the world might not keep. Pictures carry as much of the meaning as the words, which is why each of these stories shows the same child, in a real place, on every page.
Read a story on a calm day, well before the situation, and again just before it happens. Many children like the same story daily for a week or two. Keep the one-page summary where the child can see it, and point back to the page that shows what to do.
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