Accepting no: a free social story for kids (printable + read-aloud)
Sometimes I ask for something.
Like a snack, or more tablet time.
The story
Page 1
Sometimes I ask for something.
Like a snack, or more tablet time.
Page 2
Sometimes the answer is yes.
Page 3
Sometimes the answer is no.
It might not be the right time, or it might not be safe.
Page 4
Hearing no can make me feel sad or angry.
That feeling is okay.
Page 5
I can take a slow, deep breath.
Breathing slowly helps the big feeling get smaller.
Page 6
I can say okay, or ask about later.
“Can I have it after dinner?”
Page 7
Then I can choose something else to do.
There are lots of other things I like.
Page 8
I am learning to handle hearing no.
It gets a little easier each time.
When to use this story
Read it at calm times, not in the moment after a no. It helps to practice with small, easy no's first and to say when the answer might be yes.
Tips
- 1When you can, say what is possible: “Not now, after dinner” is easier to hear than a plain no.
- 2Offer two other choices your child likes, so there's somewhere to go next.
- 3Give the feeling a name: “You're disappointed. That's okay.”