Sometimes telling something as a story helps to 'externalise' the problem, lifting it away from the person and making 'the problem the problem' not the person themselves. Social stories can also be a helpful way to explore behaviours. Here are some ideas to bring story telling into your direct work. You can also try the 'social skills' section of the Kit Bag for more ideas. 

Puppets

A wonderful way to help a child work through feelings, behaviours or worries by telling stories that externalise the problem. Can be used during a video call, or recorded on your phone or laptop and sent as a file to the family. 

 (if you particularly like the Inside Out puppets, here is a link to an example of a set you can buy or we could buy for you and send to you at home):

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/281695252/inside-out-puppet-theatre-paper-set?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=inside+out+toys&ref=sr_gallery-1-4

 

Russian Dolls

Plain Russian dolls can be used in a variety of ways with a child, young person or parent. For example they can use them to describe how they think the world sees them vs how they are inside or to describe the range of feelings they might have (what we see vs what they're really feeling).

Plain Russian dolls can be painted, or coloured in using felt tips, however the person wants to express themselves. 

If you like the Russian doll idea and want to order some to send to a family, here is a link to an example (we can order them for you):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/STOBOK-Matryoshka-Unpainted-Russian-Crafting/dp/B07KM23GZG/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=plain+russian+dolls&qid=1591115106&s=kids&sr=1-4

 

Story Cubes

This lovely resource from Beacon House might help a child or parent tell you stories about things that matter to them that you can then explore and reflect on together. Can be sent by post or email, with the story telling taking place over a video or telephone call. You could even play together during a video call, if you make a cube for yourself at home too.

Story Cubes templates

 

Comic Strips

A multitude of ways to use comic strips with children, young people and parents including to sort out problems, retelll a complicated story, to find out information, to write social stories for children which you can post or email to them and many more . 

If you're interested in using comic strips, we can order packs for you or send a pack direct to a family with their permission:

https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/downloads/comic-strips-for-tell-their-stories-item-321/