Circle Rules Slides
Family
Friend
Stop
Social Communication Guide
My Social Circles
and Boundaries
A step-by-step visual guide to understanding Family, Friends, and Strangers.
Visual Support Series
What are Social Circles?
Slide 2 of 9
Social circles help us know who people are and what behavior rules we should follow to stay safe and comfortable.
Green Circle
My Family
Mom, Dad, Uncle, and Cousins who live with me or help care for me.
Yellow Circle
Friends & Acquaintances
People I know at school, club, or in my neighborhood.
Red Circle
Strangers
People I do not know at all. Safety is first!
We have different safety rules and physical space limits for each circle.
G The Green Circle: My Family
Green Zone
Family members are the close relative caregivers who live in my home or care for me.
Who is Family?
- Mom and Dad
- My Uncle
- My Cousins
Appropriate Interactions
-
- Hugs, kisses, and cuddling are safe.
-
- We can talk about personal feelings.
-
- We live in or regularly visit their homes.
Rule check: You can always ask Mom, Dad, Uncle, or Cousins for help or tell them your secrets.
Y The Yellow Circle: Friends & Acquaintances
Yellow Zone
Friends and acquaintances are people we know at school, club, or in the neighborhood, but do not live with us.
Who is in Yellow?
- Classmates and school peers
- Teachers, coaches, and school staff
- Neighbors and club buddies
Appropriate Interactions (No Hugging)
- 🚫 NO HUGGING: We do not hug friends or teachers.
- ✔️ Waves, high-fives, and handshakes are perfect.
- ➡️ Keep a comfortable space (1 arm length).
Rule check: Friends are for waving, playing, and talking, but hugging is only for Family (Green Zone).
R The Red Circle: Strangers
Red Zone
Strangers are people we do not know at all. Most are good, but we must follow safety rules because we don't know them.
Who is a Stranger?
- People you see on the street but don't know.
- A person who talks to you in public.
- Even nice-looking people you haven't met.
Safety Rules (No Touch Zone)
-
- Do not touch: No hugs, high-fives, or handshakes.
-
- Do not go anywhere with them.
-
- Keep a safe distance (2 arm lengths).
Safety rule: If a stranger asks for your help or gives you a gift, say "NO," walk away, and find Mom, Dad, Uncle, or Cousins.
Space and Touch Boundary Guide
Slide 6 of 9
Let's compare the boundaries for each circle side-by-side to notice the differences.
GREEN ZONE
Close space: Hugs, kisses, and sitting close are safe with Mom, Dad, Uncle, & Cousins.
Secrets: Safe to share. They can help solve big problems.
YELLOW ZONE
1 Arm Space: Waves, high-fives, and handshakes are best.
NO Hugging: Do not hug classmates, friends, or teachers.
RED ZONE
2 Arms Space: No touching, no hugging, no high-fives.
Private: Do not talk to them or share personal details.
Always look at a person's circle color to decide your actions!
Scenario Practice 1
Slide 7 of 9
Real-world scenario:
"Mr. Thomas, your next-door neighbor, waves and says 'Hi, how was school today?' while you walk by his front porch."
1. What circle color is Mr. Thomas?
Green Yellow Red
2. What is the correct rule?
- Wave back and say "Hi, school was good."
- Give Mr. Thomas a friendly hug.
Answer: Mr. Thomas is in the Yellow Circle. It is safe to wave and talk, but no hugging is allowed for neighbors.
Scenario Practice 2
Slide 8 of 9
Real-world scenario:
"A person you don't know walks up to you at the public playground and says 'Hey, I lost my puppy. Can you help me find him? over by my car?'"
1. What circle color is this person?
Green Yellow Red
2. What is the correct rule?
- Go with them immediately to look for the dog.
- Say "NO," walk away, and tell Mom or Dad.
Answer: This person is in the Red Circle (Stranger). Say NO and walk away immediately to find Mom or Dad.
My Social Circles Checklist
Slide 9 of 9
1
Check the person's social circle before getting close or talking.
2
Follow the touch rules: No hugging for Yellow and Red Zones. Hugs are only for Green family.
3
If you feel unsafe or confused, find Mom, Dad, Uncle, or Cousins right away!
Now we are ready for the hands-on Sorting Card Challenge and Social Narrative booklet!
My Social Circles Narrative
G
My Social Circles Book
Chapter 1: Family
Who is in my Green Circle?
These are the close family caregivers in my life. They help care for me and keep me safe.
My Family is my Green Zone
My family consists of specific loved ones who protect me, help me, and live with me or visit often. Because they are my close family, we follow special green zone rules.
These people are in my Green Circle:
My Mom
My Dad
My Uncle
My Cousins
My Safe Green Zone Rules:
- • Physical space: I can hug Mom, Dad, Uncle, and Cousins. I can sit next to them closely. This is safe and comfortable.
- • Talking rules: I can tell my family all my secrets. If I feel sad, scared, or angry, I should tell them. They will always try to help me.
- • Trust rules: I can take medicine from my parents, eat food they give me, and go in their car because they keep me safe.
Social Circles Narrative Guide Page 1
Y
My Social Circles Book
Chapter 2: Friends
Who is in my Yellow Circle?
These are people I know, talk to, or see regularly, but they do not live with me.
My Friends and Acquaintances
I see my friends at school, in my neighborhood, or at clubs. They are fun to play with, but because they do not live in my home, we have strict Yellow Zone rules to respect everyone's body space.
These people are in my Yellow Circle:
My Teachers & Aides
My Classmates & Peers
Next-door Neighbors
Coaches & Therapists
My Careful Yellow Zone Rules:
- 🚫 No Hugging rule: I do not hug my friends, teachers, or neighbors. Hugging is only for family caregivers in the Green Circle.
- ✔️ Physical space: Keep 1 arm's length of space between us. Safe ways to say hello are waves, high-fives, and handshakes.
- • Talking rules: I can talk about school, sports, games, and favorite toys. I do not share private body secrets or family secrets.
Rule check: If I want to show a classmate that I am happy to see them, I will give them a high-five or a wave. No hugging!
Social Circles Narrative Guide Page 2
R
My Social Circles Book
Chapter 3: Strangers
Boundary Builder Cards
Activity Sheet 1
Social Circles Sorting Board
Name: ________________
Date: _________
Instructions: Cut out the sorting cards at the bottom of the page. Place or glue each card into its correct Social Circle Zone based on safety rules! Remember: hugging is only for family.
G
GREEN ZONE
My Family Only
Y
YELLOW ZONE
Friends & Peers
R
RED ZONE
Strangers
Cut along the dotted line below for your cards
👩
My Mom
👨
My Dad
🧔
My Uncle
👦
My Cousin
🎒
Classmate
🏡
Neighbor
🕶️
Person at Bus Stop
🛝
Man at Playground
Boundary Builders • Student Practice Page 1
Activity Sheet 2
Portable Rule Cue Cards
Name: ________________
Date: _________
Instructions: Cut out these portable checklist cards! Laminate them or punch a hole to keep them in your pocket or school backpack as safe boundary reminders.
Cut Out Card
G
MY GREEN CIRCLE: Family
Who is it?
My Mom, Dad, Uncle, and Cousins.
My Checklist:
Hugs, kisses, and handshakes are safe.
Safe to tell personal secrets & big feelings.
Cut Out Card
Y
MY YELLOW CIRCLE: Friends & Peers
Who is it?
Classmates, teachers, neighbors we see often.
My Checklist:
NO HUGGING. Waves or high-fives only.
Keep 1 arm's length of personal space.
Cut Out Card
R
MY RED CIRCLE: Strangers
Who is it?
People we do not know at all. Safety is first.
My Checklist:
No touching, no hugging. Keep 2 arms distance.
Say "NO" if they offer things. Walk away and tell Mom/Dad.
Boundary Builders • Student Practice Page 2
Activity Sheet 3
Scenario Practice Worksheet
Name: ________________
Date: _________
1
Your teacher says, "Great job on your math homework today!" and puts a star sticker on your page. Is it okay to hug your teacher?
