“I Can Only Share Three Times” social story addresses the issue of children perseverating on a topic by explaining the “three times rule.” It teaches children that people around them may feel upset or overwhelmed if they have to listen to the same topic over and over again. Kids also learn that they are allowed to share their special interest three times, after which they need to keep find ways to manage their urge to discuss it further. The story offers strategies for children when using the three times rule: think before speaking, use the time wisely, remember that there’s always the next day for sharing. The story also touches upon strategies to use instead of insisting on sharing beyond the allotted three times. Find it here.
Limiting sharing to three times is beneficial for some students for multiple reasons:
- Prevents overwhelming others: Constantly repeating the same topic can be overwhelming or even upsetting to listeners, who may feel trapped or unable to contribute to the conversation.
- Encourages balanced conversations: Limiting repetition allows for a more balanced conversation where everyone has a chance to share their thoughts and interests.
- Promotes self-regulation: Learning to manage the urge to perseverate helps children develop self-regulation skills, which are essential for social interactions and overall well-being.
- Teaches social awareness: The rule helps children become more aware of the impact of their words on others and develop empathy.
- Provides a clear guideline: Having a specific rule, like “three times,” provides a clear and predictable guideline for the child, making it easier for them to understand and follow.
Using visuals can be very helpful to accompany this social story, especially for young children or those who benefit from visual learning. Here is an idea of a visual that I recommend to go with the “three times rule” story:
However, if you have a student that is into a specific topic, like dinosaurs or cars, I recommend that you customize this visual to match your child’s interest. Customizing visuals to accompany this social story is crucial for maximizing its effectiveness and impact on the child. Here’s why:
- Increased Engagement– When visuals are personalized to the child’s interests, they become more engaging and captivating. This helps maintain the child’s attention and focus on the story’s message.
- Improved Comprehension– Using familiar images, characters, or themes can aid in the child’s understanding of the social situation and the “three times rule” concept.
- Enhanced Recall– Customized visuals create a stronger association with the story, making it easier for the child to recall the rule and apply it in real-life situations.
- Greater Relevance– Personalization makes the story more relevant to the child’s life and experiences, increasing their connection to the message and motivation to learn.
- Empowerment and Ownership– Involving the child in creating or choosing the visuals gives them a sense of ownership and control over the learning process, leading to better acceptance and implementation of the rule.
- Adaptability to Individual Needs– Customization allows for tailoring the visuals to the child’s specific learning style, preferences, and any sensory sensitivities they might have.
- Stronger Emotional Connection– Using visuals that resonate with the child’s emotions can create a deeper connection to the story and its message, fostering empathy and understanding.
If, on the other hand, you are just looking for some fun images, I created a few options for you that you can download for free here. Just print, laminate, and mount with velcro dots.
A great companion to this social story is another one I wrote a few years back, on the same topic: “Don’t Talk About The Same Thing All the Time”. Find it here.
