Glad Monster Therapy Guide SLP Session Plan Session 1 of Sequence
Glad Monster Therapy Guide
Target Core: WANT / MORE / LOOK / FEEL
Book: Glad Monster, Sad Monster (Emberley)
Primary Objectives
1. Receptively identify & label HAPPY and SAD faces.
2. Request motivating props using "I want [item]" or single-word approximation.
Materials Needed
• Glad Monster cut-out masks
• Mirror for facial imitation
• Bubbles & sensory squeeze ball
• Happy/Sad visual symbols
AAC / Prompt Level
• High-contrast 2-choice boards
• Aided Language Stimulation (ALS)
• Least-to-most prompting hierarchy (Model > Gesture > Wait)
1
Shared Story Walk & Sensory Mask Reveal (10 Min)
Engagement & Receptive Labeling
Hold book with emotion mask in place. Model explicit physical cues (big smile vs. curled frown, slumped shoulders).
Therapist Script & Modeling
"Look! Yellow monster has a big smile! Yellow is HAPPY! Touch HAPPY on your board." (Model finger point to yellow icon).
Prompt Strategy
Provide 5-8 second pause time. If no response, use hand-under-hand or physical gesture toward student's mirror face.
2
Sensory Mirror & Expression Imitation (10 Min)
Expressive Labeling
Place handheld mirror in front of child. Therapist models an exaggerated happy laugh and sad cry with silly sounds.
Mirror Routine
Hold monster mask up to child's face. "Who is smiling? [Child] is HAPPY!" Prompt vocalization or AAC tap.
Communication Temptation
Put mirror face down. Wait expectantly for gesture, eye contact, vocal sound, or "MORE" / "LOOK" to continue.
3
Functional Requesting Expansion: "Happy Bubbles" (10 Min)
Functional Requesting
Pair positive emotion with high-preference item (bubbles / spin toy). When bubbles pop, pretend sad face to contrast feelings.
Requesting Routine
Close bubble jar tightly. Model "OPEN" or "WANT BUBBLES" . Student points to token or articulates sound before blowing.
Emotion-State Request
Bubbles gone → "Sad? I want happy!" Child trades happy symbol for bubble reload. Reinforces emotion cause-and-effect.
Clinical Trial Tracker & Prompt Independence Log Key: I = Indep, V = Verbal, G = Gesture, P = Physical
Identify Happy
Trials: 〇 〇 〇 〇 〇
Identify Sad
Trials: 〇 〇 〇 〇 〇
Request Item / Toy
Trials: 〇 〇 〇 〇 〇
Request "More" / "Open"
Trials: 〇 〇 〇 〇 〇
Happy Sad Activity Mat Speech Therapy Activity Mat
My Feelings & Request Board
Name:
Date:
Communication Strip (Point or Place Card)
I FEEL
[ Place Emotion ]
I WANT
[ Place Request ]
1. Select Emotion (Tap or Point)
HAPPY Glad • Smiling • Good
SAD Tears • Frown • Need Hug
2. Motivating Requests (Choose What You Need)
BUBBLES Blow & Pop
MUSIC Song / Dance
SQUEEZE Squishy Ball
BOOK Turn Page
Cut-Out Picture Exchange Tokens (Optional for Velcro) Therapist/Student Prep Area
HAPPY
SAD
BUBBLES
MORE
OPEN
HELP
Sophie Calms Down Therapy Guide SLP Session Plan Session 2 of Sequence
Sophie Calms Down Therapy Guide
Target Core: MAD / CALM / STOP / BREAK
Book: When Sophie Gets Angry (Molly Bang)
Primary Objectives
1. Receptively and expressively label MAD vs. CALM .
2. Functionally request calming sensory tools ("I want break" , "I want squeeze" ).
Sensory Kit Needed
• Red volcano picture cue
• Weighted lap pad or bean bag
• Pinwheel / bubble wand for exhales
• Tactile play dough / stress ball
Clinical Strategy
• Co-regulation over compliance
• Somatosensory body mapping
• Rapid AAC response (low latency reward for requesting break)
1
Volcano & Roar: High-Arousal Identification (10 Min)
Sensory Modeling
Read Sophie's explosion scene. Molly Bang uses brilliant red/orange hues. Match physical tension (fists clenched, stamping feet, heavy breath).
Therapist Modeling Script
"Look at Sophie! Red volcano! Her face is tight! Sophie is MAD! Touch MAD." Model stomping feet 2 times, then tapping AAC.
Physical Tactile Anchor
Squeeze playdough tightly together with the student: "Fists tight! MAD!" Then release gently: "Ahhh, open hands."
2
The Calming Tree: Somatosensory Regulation (10 Min)
Regulation State Labeling
Turn to Sophie climbing the beech tree with cool blue/green breezes. Model lowering tone of voice, slowing breath, relaxing shoulders.
Deep Exhale Breath Work
Bring out pinwheel or bubble wand. Model slow 3-second exhale: "Breathe in... blow out... CALM. My body feels calm."
AAC Color Association
Contrast: "Red was MAD. Blue and green are CALM." Prompt child to tap the green CALM symbol on the requesting mat.
3
Functional Advocacy & Sensory Requesting (10 Min)
Self-Advocacy & Requesting
Set up 3 regulation tools in clear containers (weighted pad, squish ball, quiet earmuffs). Create functional communication opportunities.
Self-Advocacy Script
Child points or hands token: "I want SQUEEZE" or "I want BREAK" . Honor request immediately to establish agency.
Calm Down Requesting Mat Speech & Self-Advocacy Board
Calm Down & Requesting Mat
Name:
Date:
My Self-Advocacy Strip (Point or Place Card)
I FEEL
[ Place Emotion ]
I NEED
[ Place Tool ]
1. Check My Energy (Tap or Point)
MAD Tight Body • Volcano • Fast
CALM Soft Body • Slow Breath • Ready
2. Calming Sensory Tools (What Helps Me?)
SQUEEZE Squish / Pressure
BREATHE Blow Pinwheel
QUIET Soft Corner
WATER Cool Drink
Cut-Out Picture Exchange Tokens (Therapy Cut Lines) Functional Request Bank
MAD
CALM
BREAK
STOP
BREATHE
HELP
Emotion Literature Master Guide SLP Clinical Reference Part 1: Books 1–4
Emotion Literature Master Guide
Focus: Labeling & Requesting
Low Verbal & AAC Learners
Therapist Framework: Use these literature pairings for aided language stimulation (ALS). Pair every receptive emotion tag with physical sensory reinforcers and immediate opportunities for functional requesting (tools, breaks, or preferred items).
1
The Color Monster by Anna Llenas
Core: IN / PUT / FEEL / COLOR
Labeling Target
Colors mapped to feelings: Yellow (Happy), Blue (Sad), Red (Mad), Gray (Fear), Green (Calm).
Sensory Activity
Emotion Sorting Jars: Sort colored pom-poms, textured beads, or playdough into clear mason jars.
Requesting Routine
Hold jar lids tight. Student must request "OPEN" , "MORE [color]" , or "I WANT YELLOW" before dropping.
2
Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley
Core: ON / OFF / LOOK / WANT
Labeling Target
Glad, Sad, Silly, Angry, Loving, Worried. Exaggerated facial feature identification.
Sensory Activity
Mask & Mirror Reveal: Wear die-cut masks over therapist and child's faces with silly mirror reactions.
Requesting Routine
Student requests "MASK ON" , "TAKE OFF" , or points to target monster face to switch characters.
3
When Sophie Gets Angry by Molly Bang
Core: MAD / STOP / GO / BREATHE
Labeling Target
Exploding anger vs cool calm. Physiological state labeling (hot body, pounding heart).
Sensory Activity
Red Volcano Playdough: Stomp fists into red dough, then squeeze cool green dough to slow down.
Requesting Routine
Practice functional escape & regulation requests: "I WANT BREAK" , "SQUEEZE" , or "STOP" .
4
In My Heart by Jo Witek
Core: HEART / BIG / LITTLE / FEEL
Labeling Target
Brave (lion), heavy/broken (sad), light as a balloon (happy), quiet/shy (gentle snowflake).
Sensory Activity
Feelings Checkin Sentence Board Daily Speech Therapy Check-In
My Daily Feelings & Needs Board
Name:
Date:
Build My Sentence (Place Tokens in Order)
1. I FEEL
[ Emotion ]
2. BECAUSE
[ Reason ]
3. I WANT
[ Request ]
Emotion Choices (How Do You Feel?)
HAPPY Glad / Good
SAD Down / Tears
MAD Tight / Upset
SCARED Fast Heart / Fear
Reasons & Triggers (Why Do You Feel That Way?)
BROKEN Not Working
TOO LOUD Big Sounds
TIRED Heavy Eyes
PLAY TIME Having Fun
Request Choices (What Can We Do?)
BREAK Rest 2 Min
SQUEEZE Deep Hug
WATER Cool Drink
TOY / GAME Choose Play
Cut-Out Picture Exchange Tokens Use with Velcro or Token Strip
HAPPY
SAD
MAD
BREAK
SQUEEZE
HELP