My Body Tells Me Things
Amir learns to recognize big feelings in his body and use simple calming strategies to help himself feel better. This story helps him understand that big feelings are normal and that his body can help him calm down.
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Read the Story
7 pages · 6 min read read
Show text
Read the Story
7 pages · 6 min read read
My name is Amir. Today at school, I was playing with the big dinosaur blocks. I was building a tall tower with a T-Rex on top.
My friend Marcus wanted to play with the dinosaur blocks too. He asked if he could build with me. But I did not want to share my blocks.
My face got hot. My hands felt tight into fists. My body was telling me I had big feelings. I felt upset because I wanted all the blocks for my tower.
Ms. Rodriguez saw my tight fists and my hot face. She came over and said, 'Amir, I see your body is telling you something.' She sat down next to me on the floor.
Ms. Rodriguez showed me how to squeeze my pillow really tight. I squeezed it for five seconds. Then I let it go slowly. The tight feeling in my hands got smaller because the pillow took the squeeze.
My hands felt better. My face felt cooler. Then Ms. Rodriguez asked if Marcus and I could build the tower together. We could take turns putting blocks on top.
Marcus and I built the tower together. I put a block on. Then Marcus put a block on. My tower was taller because we shared. And my body felt calm.
Social Story Methodology
Why This Story Works
This story teaches children to recognize their body's physical signals—hot face, tight fists—as early warning signs of big emotions before behavior escalates, which is central to Carol Gray's approach of building self-awareness. By pairing body awareness with a concrete calming strategy (the pillow squeeze), Amir learns that he can manage his feelings and make better choices, like sharing with Marcus, transforming a potential conflict into a collaborative success.
Story Structure
How It's Written
Sentence Types
Voice & Perspective
Story Structure
Practical Guidance
Ways to Use This Story
Practice Body Check-Ins
Try the Pillow Squeeze Together
Read Before Sharing Situations
Celebrate When He Notices His Signals
Extend the Collaboration Success
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