Too Much, Too Little, Just Right: A Social Communication Game, Revised

by Claudia Weiss, L.C.S.W., Sandra Singer, Ph.D., and Lois Feigenbaum, L.C.S.W. People communicate using not only words, but also tone of voice and body language. Many children, however, fail to notice these relatively subtle social cues. This game teaches children to pay attention to tone of voice, observe body language, and note how these cues affect the message. Children assume two roles during game play: Messenger and Listener. They learn by observing others and by getting immediate feedback about their own expressive abilities. They learn to adjust volume, expression, gestures, and other physical cues in order to communicate effectively and achieve greater self-control. Acquiring these skills helps children develop more appropriate and satisfying social relationships. Ideal for 2 to 8 players, this game can be easily used with larger groups or classrooms as well. Because it focuses on social interaction among players rather than on a game board, it can be played virtually a