Description
Book SynopsisIntroducing a Social Theatre™, this book provides guidance on how to deliver fun and transformative activities to develop social skills in teenagers and children.
Drawing on ideas from Social Thinking®, CBT, mindfulness and assertiveness training this book develops games, skits and short plays which can be adapted to suit children and teenagers including those who are gifted, typical, and those with mild to moderate cognitive abilities. These activities will help participants become more assertive and flexible as well as improving confidence, focus and self-esteem.
Social Theatre™ can be used in small groups, in class or throughout the school, as well as in group therapy sessions. It provides a new and inclusive way to teach social skills and collaborative learning and is especially useful for those with anxiety, ADHD and ASD.
Trade ReviewShawn has crafted a work that is immediately applicable while also being transformational in its approach. It combines the practice of improv and comedy with the theory behind Social Theater and offers a GPS on how, when and why to use each activity. You can't go wrong! -- Izzy Gesell MS Ed, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional)
Improvisational theatre games are increasingly finding a place in group psychotherapy, and this is a wonderful resource for clinicians working with children and teens, particularly with kids whose social skills may be impaired by attentional or anxiety problems. -- David Carbonell, Ph.D., psychologist and founding member of The Therapy Players, comedy improv troupe, Chicago, USA
Shawn Amador is a brilliant pioneer in the field of improv and social skills training! In her book she provides many gifts to practitioners of all levels: an eloquent historical perspective, step-by-step guides to using improv in therapeutic settings, and detailed explanations of the emotional and cognitive influences. -- Kristin R. Krueger, PhD, clinician, researcher and member of the Therapy Players
Table of ContentsPreface; Acknowledgements; Breakdown chart by
Social Thinking® Profile Level and target skills; 1. History of Social Theatre; The Creation of Groups; 3. Collaborative Writing Process; 4. Activities/Skits to Teach Joint Attention and Focus; 5. Practicing Recognition of Social Cues; 6. Practicing Self-Regulation Skills; 7. Practicing Perspective Taking; 8. Performing when Anxious and Shy...and Clowning!; 9. Being Confident to Defeat Bullying; 10. Social Theatre: How Can I Use It?' Appendices. Appendix A - Common Core Standards and Social Theatre. Appendix B - Feeling or Action?. Appendix C - Assertiveness Training Cards
