Knowing My Safe Spaces: Family, Friends, and New Faces

When to use this story

Knowing My Safe Spaces: Family, Friends, and New Faces is a valuable resource for preschoolers aged 3-5. It's designed to be used in various settings, including at home, in classrooms, or during therapy sessions. This story is especially helpful when introducing the concept of safe spaces, as it encourages discussions about the people who make them feel secure, like family and friends, as well as how to navigate encounters with new faces. You may find it useful during transitions, such as starting school or meeting new people, or anytime your child may express curiosity or concern about their environment.

What's inside

This engaging social story begins with simple, relatable sentences that reflect the experiences of young children. For instance, it opens by expressing joy in running and playing, creating a foundation for discussing safe environments. The story emphasizes the warmth and security that family provides, highlighting the importance of staying close to loved ones when encountering strangers. It also introduces the idea of safety in public spaces, such as holding hands near roads, making it a practical guide to understanding boundaries and personal safety.

In addition to the narrative, the story includes various activity types designed to enhance learning and retention, such as vocabulary exercises, spelling, comprehension questions, open-ended prompts, creative tasks, and role-play scenarios. These activities are crafted to reinforce the concepts presented in the story while promoting engagement and interaction.

What kids learn

Through Knowing My Safe Spaces, children learn essential concepts about safety and trust. They understand the importance of family and friends in providing a sense of security. The story encourages them to recognize unfamiliar people and situations, fostering awareness of personal boundaries and the significance of staying close to those they trust. The activities included help children practice their new knowledge in fun and interactive ways, solidifying their understanding of safety and comfort in different contexts.

Research context

The tradition of using social stories, as developed by Carol Gray, has been widely recognized for its effectiveness in helping children navigate social situations and understand their feelings. This approach is grounded in narrative-based social-emotional learning (SEL) research, which highlights the power of storytelling in teaching important life skills. By connecting with relatable experiences, children can better internalize the lessons of safety and trust, promoting their overall emotional and social well-being.

Tips for parents and educators

• Read the story together, discussing each page to reinforce understanding.
• Encourage your child to share their feelings about family, friends, and new people they meet.
• Use role-play to practice scenarios involving strangers and how to respond safely.
• Incorporate vocabulary words from the story into everyday conversations.
• Create a ‘safe space’ chart with your child, identifying who makes them feel secure.
• Regularly revisit the story to strengthen concepts as your child encounters new experiences.