Thoughts, feelings & actions
Interpreting or predicting the thoughts, feelings, or motivations of others.
- Timetable class reflection and discussion to explore different views. This encourages ownership, inclusion, and responsive teaching.
- Develop the learner’s understanding of the thoughts, feelings, and actions of others through small group/1:1 direct teaching, e.g., exploring favoured books and media, Comic Strip Conversations, Social Stories, Social Detective inference skills.
- Be aware of the possibility that double empathy may impact your ability to understand the learner and their ability to understand you. It reminds us that both parties may struggle to interpret each other accurately, and both perspectives are valid.
- Develop inference skills using images and scenarios to develop understanding of others’ thoughts and emotions.
- Use structured problem-solving tools (e.g., role play or comic strip conversations) to help learners reflect and learn from social experiences.
- Model perspective-taking using “I wonder…” statements. This encourages empathy and flexible thinking.