Theory of Mind

[Guest guest]

Hi guys, found a great book that is perfect for introducing Theory of Mind.

It is a children's book called " HUG " by Jez Alborough. The story is nearly

wordless (the word HUG appears on many pages). This is how we read it to

teach TOM. A little monkey walks up to a mommy-baby elephant pair who are

hugging and he labels, " HUG. " I ask Evy, " What does the monkey see? "

Prompt, " the elephants are hugging. " (He tends to see only the

label--elephants). Monkey walks past a pair of lizards, and snakes and

labels " Hug. " Again, " What does the monkey see? " Prompt the

subject-action. Monkey walks past the elephants again with a very sad face.

You ask, " How does the monkey feel? " (Sad) " Why does he feel sad? "

prompt " Because he wants a hug. " Monkey continues walking dejectedly.

Maybe ask, " Does he want to hug the elephants? " who are watching monkey

walk away. (Prompt " NO " ) Ask " Who do you think he wants to hug?

(open-ended question) " (Any answer works) Comment " Let's find out " or " I

think he wants to find his mommy. "

Monkey climbs on elephants trunk and tells elephant, " Hug " meaning he wants

help getting a hug. Elephant carries monkey on his head and off they go.

Ask, " Where do you think they are going? " Prompt " Maybe they are looking

for his mommy. " Monkey sees cheetas (Evy calls them lions) hugging. Ask

" What does he see? " (Lions hugging). They walk on, monkey sees lions

hugging. Ask again, " What does he see? " Ditto with the hippos. Finally

all the animals watch as monkey opens his mouth and wails, " HUG! " We like

to reenact this part. Ask, " WHY is he yelling HUG! " (because he wants a

hug!) Monkey starts to cry. " Is he happy? " (No) " How does he feel? "

(Sad, lonely, etc). " What does he want? " (hug) Mommy Monkey comes

running, yelling " BOBO! " " Who do you think THAT is? " (mommy). " Why do you

think she is yelling " Bobo! " (that is his name)--inference moment. Monkey

runs to mother yelling " mommy! " " Is Bobo happy or sad? " (happy). Monkey

and mother hug. " Why do you think he is happy? " (Because he is getting a

hug). Monkey hugs elephants trunk and says " Hug. " " Why is monkey hugging

the elephant? " (to say thank you for helping him find his mommy, because

he is happy, etc). Everybody has a group hug. (They are SO HAPPY).

Any time you ask a child to describe what another might be thinking, seeing

or feeling, you are helping them understand Theory of Mind, building

empathy, helping them acquire the foundation for social relationships. Keep

books in mind as a tool. FYI, we are fading the prompts ASAP. t Burk