The story
Arnold is playing ball at recess when his teacher says, “Recess is over. Please line up!” Stopping is hard, and that is okay.
Free printable + video
Listening to My Teacher Social Story
Following directions at school, for autistic kids and every child
- Stop
- Listen
- Do
- Ask for help
Recess is over, the class is lining up, and your child is still playing. This free 23-page printable story gives a child a plan for that moment: Stop. Listen. Do.
It comes with a practice game, a My Listening Steps poster for the classroom wall, and gentle words that make it okay to look nearby or move a little while listening.
Get the free story
Enter your name and email. The PDF opens right away, and a copy goes to your inbox.
Free. No payment needed.
Watch the story together
Arnold’s animated story is about four minutes long. Watch it together, play the practice game at the end, then say the three words together.
Stop.Listen.Do.
What is inside the free PDF
Simple words, one idea per page, and the same Arnold and teacher pictures your child sees in the video.
Three listening steps
Stop and put the ball down. Listen, looking at the teacher or nearby. Do: walk to the line. Arnold feels proud.
Asking for help
When a direction is not clear, Arnold raises his hand: “Can you say it again, please?” Then a practice: “Touch your nose!”
Game, poster + guide
A Stop, Listen, Do game, a “My Listening Steps” poster with a line for the child’s name, and a one-page guide for grown-ups.
How to use it
- First
Read it on a calm day
Before school or before bed. A calm moment is the easiest time to learn a new plan.
- Then
Watch and play
Watch the video together, then play the game on page 21: you give a direction, your child stops, listens and does it.
- Next
Share the poster
Put the poster up at home and give a copy to the teacher, so home and school use the same three words.
For teachers
Using it in the classroom
Play the four-minute video at circle time, put the poster up near the door where the class lines up, and play the Stop, Listen, Do game with the whole group. The story never asks a child to make eye contact: looking nearby and moving a little are both okay.
Questions parents ask
What is this listening social story about?
It is a 23-page printable story about listening and following directions at school. Arnold has to stop playing when recess is over, and he learns three listening steps: Stop, Listen, Do. He also learns to ask, “Can you say it again, please?”
Who is it for?
Autistic children and any young child who finds it hard to stop playing and follow a direction, from preschool and kindergarten to the early grades. Parents, teachers, aides and therapists use it at home, in class and in therapy.
Is there a video of the story?
Yes. The animated “Listening to My Teacher” video tells the same story in about four minutes, with a practice game at the end. Watch it on this page or on the AutismWorks YouTube channel.
Does my child have to look at the teacher?
No. The story says a child can look at the teacher or look nearby, and that moving a little while listening is okay too. Ears can still listen.
Can I print it?
Yes. The story is a printable PDF in landscape format. Print the whole story, or only the poster on page 22 for the classroom wall, a desk or the fridge.
How often should we read it?
Often. Read it on calm days, a few times a week. The same words again and again help a child remember the plan when it is time to stop and line up.
Is it free?
Yes. AutismWorks gives this story free to families and teachers.
More free social stories
Each one is free, printable and ready for a hard moment.
Made by Tyler and his dad, Jody
Tyler McNamer is an autistic adult and the author of two books about growing up with autism, Population ONE and Becoming ONE. With his dad, Jody, he makes these free social stories so parents and teachers have simple words for hard moments.
190,000+books sold35,000+story downloads
Meet Tyler →