Printable Scholar

Safe Hands
A social story about keeping hands safe when a child feels mad

Ages 4-812 pagesSchool Routines and Safety

A calm, first-person story about keeping hands safe when a child feels mad, and what hands can do instead of hitting. Read it together on screen below, one page at a time, or print it as a book.

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Safe Hands social story cover

Read the story

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

Safe Hands page 1
Page 1Hands are great for lots of things. I use my hands to build, draw and wave hello.
Safe Hands page 2
Page 2Sometimes my body feels mad or fast. That is okay. My hands might want to hit or grab.
Safe Hands page 3
Page 3When hands hit, people can get hurt. Their feelings can get hurt too.
Safe Hands page 4
Page 4Safe hands means my hands stay gentle with people. My hands can still wiggle, flap and move.
Safe Hands page 5
Page 5When I feel mad, I can squeeze my hands together tight.
Safe Hands page 6
Page 6I can push my hands flat on the wall. I can squeeze a soft ball.
Safe Hands page 7
Page 7I can tell a grown-up that I feel mad. Grown-ups can help me.
Safe Hands page 8
Page 8I can ask for some space. A quiet spot can help my body calm down.
Safe Hands page 9
Page 9My friends feel safe when my hands are safe. Then we can play together.
Safe Hands page 10
Page 10Sometimes I forget, and my hands hurt someone. That happens while I am learning.
Safe Hands page 11
Page 11When I feel calm, I can check on my friend. I can ask: Are you okay?
Safe Hands page 12
Page 12My hands can build, draw and wave. I am learning to use safe hands.
School Routines and Safety pack cover

Print this story: School Routines and Safety pack

  • Safe Hands, plus When We Have a Fire Drill, My Personal Space, 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 DrillMy Personal Space social storyMy Personal SpaceWaiting 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).