Group Activities for Social Emotional Learning Using Sketch Comedy and Improv Games - by Shawn Amador & Eleni Liossis (Paperback)

About the Book

A guide for educators and therapists to engage children in social-emotional learning through structured activities. The social skill-based improv games, participant written plays, and basic plays are accompanied with downloadable materials, and offer a graduated exposure of techniques for different participant comfort levels

Book Synopsis

Children with strong social-emotional skills are better able to cope with everyday challenges and benefit academically, professionally, and socially. But the benefits that can be derived from these skills can only be seen if children are given the opportunity to develop them.
This accessible guide helps teach children to participate in social-emotional learning. Offering fun group activities including social skill-based improv games, participant written plays, and basic plays that can be transformed using the creative minds of children themselves. To increase participant comfort levels with these activities, the book allows for a graduated exposure of techniques, starting with improv trust building and joint focus games, and progressing to improvisation and writing sketches.
Featuring additional downloadable content, including worksheets and lesson plans for classroom use, this is the perfect companion for educators and therapists.

Review Quotes

This is a fabulous resource for all teachers and therapist to help children develop social skills and confidence while having fun. Shawn and Eleni have created a comprehensive guide to using Applied Improv based on their experience in Improvisational Theatre Games, Emotional learning and clinical practice. The games and exercises are clearly defined with excellent graphics to aid the teacher.

I love this book and will be using it in my classes and therapy. I hope this becomes a resource in every library. It is a jewel!

--Margot Escott LCSW, Psychotherapist & Improv Teacher, Owner and founder of Improv for Wellness

Safe, equitable methods of social emotional healing and learning through dramatic play for young neuro diverse and typical populations are in this book! Novel, transformative Social Theatre methods--intentional embodied approaches for community building and repair of trauma and developmental challenges are offered step by step. Useful handouts founded on the authors' research and clinical practices are a thoughtful book bonus.--Dr. Mimi Savage, registered drama therapist, Associate Professor CIIS Counseling Psychology and Expressive Arts.

Yes! Finally, an incredibly easy to use resource that provides clinicians, teachers, and parents with a fast, effective and engaging way to teach essential social emotional skills. Whether teaching a course or addressing specific needs, Amador and Liossis remove the daunting challenge of helping students who struggle and those who don't with these accessible, supportive, and fun activities.--Mary DeMichele Creator and author of One Rule Improv(R) and Improv 'n Ink(R).

About the Author

Shawn Amador, LCSW is a clinical social worker in Illinois and practices with the use of Dramatherapy, CBT, mindfulness, and social skills training. Shawn is a school social worker and worked in the schools for 20 years. To date, Shawn is in private practice working with children up through young adults with social cognitive deficits, anxiety, attention difficulties and autism. Being a
therapist, Shawn finds importance in using age and ability appropriate humor/fun in connecting with and teaching social skills in group and individual sessions.
Eleni S. Liossis, Psy.D., ATR, P-RDT: is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Registered Art Therapist, Professional Counselor, and a Provisional Drama Therapist. She has worked in various clinical settings, such as psychiatric hospitals, private schools & outpatient clinics; where she has acquired many specialties. Also a trained actor in Improvisational Theater from the Second City - Chicago, Dr. Liossis enjoys researching & applying the clinical applications of modified improvisational theater techniques & sketch comedy.