Friendship Boundaries Lesson Plan Social Explorer
Friendship & Boundaries Lesson Plan
Tier 3 Individualized 30 Minute Session
Purpose
Understanding appropriate social interactions and respecting boundaries is crucial for healthy relationships and personal well-being. This lesson helps the student navigate social situations, reduce anxiety, and develop self-awareness regarding social cues.
Objective
The student will identify characteristics of healthy friendships, recognize the importance of respecting personal boundaries (the "space bubble"), and understand that true friendship is mutual and cannot be forced.
Preparation
Review the Social Story & Slide Deck.
Prepare a small whiteboard or blank paper.
(Optional) Customize social story with the student's name.
Required Materials
Social Story Document Interactive Slides Writing Surface
Instructional Sequence (30 Minutes)
5
Introduction & Warm-Up
Greet the student and explain the session purpose: "Today we're going to talk about what makes good friendships and how we can be good friends to others, especially when someone might not want to be friends in return."
Guiding Question
"What do you think makes a good friend?"
5
Introducing the Social Story
Transition to the reading: "I have a special story here about friendship and understanding what others want. Let's read it together."
Read aloud or have the student read parts. Pause at key moments to check for understanding and emotional recognition.
10
Discussion & Understanding Boundaries
Facilitate a discussion about the characters' feelings and the concept of 'No Signals'.
Yes Signals
Smiling, inviting, eye contact, talking.
No Signals
Saying 'no', walking away, avoiding eye contact.
5
Role-Playing (Optional)
Practice scenarios where a classmate expresses they don't want to play. Focus on polite responses: "Okay, maybe another time!" and then finding a different activity.
5
Cool Down & Wrap Up
Summarize: "True friendship is mutual. It's important to respect space bubbles. There are many other people to connect with."
Wrap-up Question: "What is one important thing you learned about friendship today?"
Instructional Tips
For ADHD & Anxiety
Keep instructions brief and visually supported. Use the whiteboard to map out "Yes/No" signals to reduce cognitive load during discussion. If the student seems anxious during role-play, switch to using puppets or drawing the scenario instead.
Communication Impairment
Provide wait time (up to 10 seconds) for responses. Use the "Yes/No" visual cues from the slide deck to help the student identify social signals if they struggle to find the words.
Pacing Guide
If the discussion in Step 3 is very productive, prioritize that over the Role-Play. The goal is internalizing the concept of the 'Space Bubble' and 'Mutual Friendship'.
Friendship Boundaries Slide Deck Friendship & Boundaries
Understanding Your Social Space
What is Friendship?
It's a special connection between people!
Sharing and Listening
Playing together
Being kind & having fun
Teacher: Welcome the student. Ask: "What do you think makes a good friend?"
Friendship is Two-Way!
It's like playing catch – both people need to throw and catch for it to be fun!
1
Both friends want to spend time together.
2
Both friends feel happy and comfortable.
Teacher: Introduce the idea that both people must choose to be friends for it to work.
Our Story Time
We are going to read "Friendship and My Space Bubble" together.
We will learn what to do if a friend needs some space.
Understanding "No"
Sometimes, people show they don't want to play right now. This is a boundary.
It is OK if someone says no.
We listen and respect them.
You didn't do anything wrong!
Space Bubble
Social Signals
YES Signals
Smiling at you
Inviting you to play
Talking with you
NO Signals
Saying "No thank you"
Walking away
Looking uncomfortable
What Can I Do?
Respect Space
Give them room to be alone.
Find Others
Look for a different friend.
Solo Activities
Read, draw, or play a game.
Talk to an Adult
Share your feelings with a teacher.
Today's Big Ideas!
Friendship is when two people choose to be together.
Listening to "No" shows you are respectful.
You can be happy in many different ways!
Friendship Boundaries Social Story Social Story
Student Resource
Friendship & My Space Bubble
Student Name
____________________________________________________
Date
___________
Sometimes, I really want to be friends with everyone. I like to talk to people and share my ideas. Being a friend makes me feel good. It feels good to have friends too.
There is a classmate named Sarah. I think Sarah is a great person and I really want to be her friend. I try to talk to her a lot and ask her to play.
A Social Signal
Sometimes, Sarah looks away when I talk. Sometimes, she says, "I want to be by myself right now," or "No, thank you." When she says these things, it means she wants to have her own space.
Everyone has a "space bubble" around them, and it's important to respect it when someone asks for space.
When Sarah says she wants space, it's a signal. It's like a stop sign for my friendship invitation. It does not mean I am a bad person, and it does not mean she will never want to talk. It just means right now, she needs her space bubble to be respected.
My Choices for Space
When someone needs space, I can do a few things:
1
I can say, "Okay!" and smile. It's polite to acknowledge their feelings.
2
I can find another friend. There are many kind people in my class and school who look ready to play or talk.
3
I can do something I enjoy by myself. I can read a book, draw, or play a quiet game. This helps me feel calm and happy.
I can remember that true friendship is when both people want to be together. If one person doesn't want to be friends right now, it means it's not the right time for that friendship. That's okay.
It makes me feel safe and happy when others respect my space bubble. So, it's important for me to respect theirs too. When I respect Sarah's space, she might feel more comfortable around me in the future. And by respecting her, I am being a kind person and a good friend to everyone, even if we are not best friends.
Look for the "Yes" Signals!
I can look for smiles, invitations to play, or happy conversations. I can be a good friend by listening to what people say and watching what their bodies tell me.
When I respect boundaries, I am being a respectful and caring person.
Reflection Drawing
In the space below, draw a picture of yourself in your "space bubble" or doing something you enjoy by yourself.
