Printable Scholar

My Personal Space
A social story about personal space

Ages 4-812 pagesSchool Routines and Safety

A calm, first-person story about personal space: about an arm away, and asking before a hug. Read it together on screen below, one page at a time, or print it as a book.

Print this storyRead the story
My Personal Space social story cover

Read the story

Read one page at a time. Let the child point at the pictures and say what is happening.

My Personal Space page 1
Page 1Everyone has personal space. It is the space around a person's body.
My Personal Space page 2
Page 2My personal space is about one arm's length all around me.
My Personal Space page 3
Page 3Other people have personal space too. Friends, teachers and family all have it.
My Personal Space page 4
Page 4When I stand in line, I leave a little space. Then nobody gets bumped.
My Personal Space page 5
Page 5When I sit on the carpet, I sit in my own spot. My friends sit in their spots.
My Personal Space page 6
Page 6When I talk to someone, I stand about an arm away. Then we both feel comfy.
My Personal Space page 7
Page 7Sometimes I want to give a hug. I can ask first: Can I give you a hug?
My Personal Space page 8
Page 8My friend might say yes. Then we can hug.
My Personal Space page 9
Page 9My friend might say no. I might feel sad, and that is okay. We can wave or smile instead.
My Personal Space page 10
Page 10If someone is too close to me, I can step back. I can say: Please give me some space.
My Personal Space page 11
Page 11Giving people space helps them feel safe and comfy.
My Personal Space page 12
Page 12I know about personal space. I keep space for me and for my friends.
School Routines and Safety pack cover

Print this story: School Routines and Safety pack

  • My Personal Space, plus When We Have a Fire Drill, Safe Hands, Waiting My Turn, Staying With My Class and Walking in a Line
  • Every story as a full-page book (US Letter and A4), a half-page booklet and a one-page summary
  • A how-to-use page
Get the 6 stories for $7All 12 stories for $12
One-time purchase. Instant download. Secure checkout by Stripe. Two stories are free: Fire Drill and Staying With My Class.

More social stories

FreeWhen We Have a Fire Drill social storyWhen We Have a Fire DrillSafe Hands social storySafe HandsWaiting My Turn social storyWaiting My TurnFreeStaying With My Class social storyStaying With My ClassWalking in a Line social storyWalking in a LineWhen I Feel Upset social storyWhen I Feel UpsetWhen the Answer Is No social storyWhen the Answer Is NoWhen I Make a Mistake social storyWhen I Make a Mistake

All 12 social stories →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use this social story?
Read it on a calm day before the situation comes up, then again just before it happens. Many children like to hear it every day for a week or two. Point at the pictures and ask what the child would do.
What age is it for?
Children of about 4 to 8, in preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade, at home or school, including autistic children and children in special education or speech therapy.
Can I print it?
Yes. The printable book, half-page booklet and one-page summary are in the School Routines and Safety pack (6 stories, $7), or in both packs together (12 stories, $12).