These activities will help teach kids how to identify their thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

RELATED: Grab my Feelings and Emotions FREEBIE

How To Identify Emotions

Feelings are the emotions that we experience everyday. Many people are able to decipher emotions by looking at a persons face, reading nonverbal cues, and then determining how a person feels. However, for students on the autism spectrum, it can be challenging to recognize facial expressions. It is also difficult for them to read nonverbal cues and understand how a person is feeling.

What is Nonverbal Language?

Nonverbal language is how we communicate with others without using words. In fact, more than 70% of communication is nonverbal. Read on to find out more about nonverbal communications and tips on how to teach feelings and emotions to your students.

Nonverbal language includes:

• Eye Contact-Looking someone in the eyes during a conversation.
  
• Body Posture-The way you position your body.
  
• Personal Space-The amount of space between you and someone else.
  
• Gestures-Hand movements that include waving and pointing.
  
• Facial Expressions-The expression on someone’s face that includes smiling and frowning.
  
• Tone of Voice-The tone of someone’s voice.
  

5 Strategies For Teaching Nonverbal Language

RELATED: 5 Common Myths about AAC and Language Development

1. Point Out Facial Expressions

Show your students pictures of people exhibiting different facial expressions. Point out their eyes, mouth, and body language. Point out if the person is smiling, frowning, or has a neutral face. Help your students identify the emotions. For example, if a person is smiling; point out to your students that that person feels happy.

2. Use “I feel when” statements

Once a student is able to identify facial expressions, they may need help with interpreting their own emotions. Students may still have difficulty determining how their own emotions make them feel. By using their own examples, it will help increase their understanding. For example, a student can say “I feel peaceful when my mom reads my favorite book.”

3. Use Social Stories

Social stories describe social situations and teach students how to respond. It also provides guidelines of what is acceptable in each social situation. This helps to reduce anxiety and the student knows what is appropriate in that setting. It can help to have social stories for several different social settings. For example, birthday party, sporting event, or in the library.

4. Participate in Role Playing

Role playing allows you to demonstrate the different emotions with your students. You may also encourage your students to role play with each other. Provide them with different scenarios and model the appropriate social response. By practicing facial expressions in a structured environment, it will help students become more comfortable expressing themselves.

5. Practice Comprehension Skills

After students have practiced their social skills, then assess their comprehension. Encourage your students to practice identifying and understanding their emotions by answering comprehension questions. Have them match their emotions with the questions.

RELATED: Social Skills-Teaching Students How To Be Kind

RELATED: Positive Self Esteem for Children

Summary

It is important to understand how nonverbal language skills relate to emotions. Both of these skills are essential for encouraging positive interactions, increasing self esteem, and maintaining healthy relationships. By trying these tips and strategies, you will help your students learn the importance of nonverbal communication and the importance of being able to interpret the feelings of others. Also help teach perspective taking and interpersonal skills by requiring students to analyze their own emotions.

Additional Resources

Feelings and Emotions Bundle

Adaptive Feelings Book

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Previews are an open debate on Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT). Some people feel that they aren’t needed and that thumbnails are enough. Others believe that previews are crucial. Let me tell you…they are. Read on to find out why previews are important on TPT and how to protect your intellectual property.

I have seen buyer after buyer state that they won’t buy a product if there are not previews. So why take the chance?

Thumbnails are NOT enough

Although thumbnails give your potential buyer a snapshot of what your product entails; it just can’t compare to previews. Consider this. Not everyone is viewing your TPT Store on a desktop or laptop computer. In this technologically advanced world, people are using their phones and tablets. That being said, when you use tablets and phones, it’s a lot more difficult to see those thumbnail images. I know, because I’ve tried!  Thumbnails are important and they should be created to catch a potential buyer’s eye. However, once they are trying to decide whether or not they want to make a purchase; they will typically turn to a preview. It makes all the difference in the world.

Don’t be Scared

This is just a theory. However, I think the reason why some people are hesitant to post previews; is that they’re scared to death that someone will copy their product. That is a very valid concern. You don’t want to just put yourself “out there” and throw caution to the wind. You must find the delicate balance between highlighting what your product truly has to offer and not providing enough information. Watermarks are symbols, words, and/or phrases that are written on a product (i.e. Example, Sample, Personal Property of, etc.) to indicate that it is a free sample. Use watermarks in all previews, but don’t overdo it. I’ve also seen previews with so many watermarks on it; that it’s difficult to even see the product. If you’re covering all of your product up, then what’s the sense of using a preview to begin with?

Protect Yourself

It’s a must to put your name on each and every page of your product; including previews. Some people put a copyright symbol with the year on each page. Whichever you choose to do, make sure you mark this on every page. I try to make my mark discrete at the bottom or side of the page.

Have faith
I know that putting your product out there can seem like the scariest thing. I still get butterflies when posting a product. Try to do what you can to make your product stand out and give people something they want to buy.

For more tips on starting your TPT Store, read my blog posts on: TPT Tips for Beginners.

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So you want to get started on Teachers Pay Teachers ( TPT)? You’ve seen the products, the pictures, the ideas, and decide this may be for you. My advice, go for it! However, how does one get started? Before you jump in and start making products, here are some things to consider.

First I think it’s wise to determine why you would like to post products and sell on TPT. It is definitely not a get rich quick scheme. In fact, slow and steady wins the race. Running a store on TPT is hard work, takes dedication, requires long hours, and lots of patience. If you love creating things and have lots of fun ideas, then this is for you! Creating products can be tedious and time consuming; you might as well enjoy the process while you’re at it.

Now if you’re still reading this far…Getting started on TPT may seem overwhelming and a bit like a daunting task. I have put together 5 tips and  guidelines I have found to be successful.

1. To Be (or Not) a Paying Member

One of the great things about TPT is that you can join and sell items without being a paid subscriber. TPT has two types of seller accounts: Seller’s Upgrade and Premium Seller Upgrade.

Seller’s Upgrade Account: FREE You keep 60% of your earnings and you are charged a 30 cent transaction fee for every item that you sell.

Premium Seller Upgrade: PAID-$59.95 per year You keep 85% of your earnings and there is no transaction fee for every item that you sell.

Everyone has a theory on when to become a Premium Seller. Some people become Premium Members as soon as they join. Others may wait a few months. My advice is to do what is the most comfortable for you. When you do upgrade, you will see significantly more earnings in your profits. Ultimately, the choice is yours!

2.  Creating a Store Brand

What’s in a name? An awful lot! Try to create a store name that is unique and gives an idea of what your store has to offer. You have two options. You can just use your real name or  create a store name. There’s nothing wrong with using your real name. However, my personal preference was to create a store name. I wanted my name to reflect a little about me and my personal interests. Remember, your store name should grab the attention of others, and make people want to click on your page.

3. Creating a Store Logo

When you join TPT, you will have the option to create a store log. That’s the lovely circle you will see at the top of everyone’s page. Again, you have two options. You can use a picture of yourself, family, kids, etc. Or you can create your own store logo. Again, remember the idea is to grab the attention of others. So try to choose a picture or create a logo that is unique and will stand out. I’ve seen a lot of creative store logos, so let your imagination run wild!

4. Demographics

I think it’s very important to decide early on which demographic you would like to reach. Do you want to focus on third and fourth grade materials? ELA or Math materials? Most people tend to make products for the area and subject that they teach. Since I’m a speech language pathologist, I focus on materials practical for other SLPs. Try to be creative, innovative, and to stand out.

5. Standing Out

Don’t ever copy ideas. However, don’t be afraid to check out the competition. Browse the top selling members and visit their stores. This will help give you an idea of what buyers are looking for. 

For more tips on starting your TPT Store, read my blog posts on: TPT Tips For Beginners

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You may feel overwhelmed when starting your store on Teachers Pay Teachers. It seems like there’s so much to do. Products to create, designing your store, creating a logo; the list goes on and on. Take a minute to read some tips for staying on track and staying calm, cool, and collected.

Don’t Get Discouraged
One of the most important things to remember when starting on TPT is not to get discouraged! Keep your eyes steady on the prize and don’t get distracted by others. You will see and hear about hundreds of success stories.

You have to realize that your journey is your own and no one else. It takes some people a while to reach amazing milestones and others a shorter time. When first starting out, it’s human nature to want to compare yourself to others. There will always be someone ahead of you; know that you will get there in time. Just focus on being the best that you can be. Good things come to those who wait. Slow and steady wins the race on TPT.  

Waiting for that first sell

You’ve spent forever working on your first product for TPT. You’re waiting on your product to sell and you’re waiting on your free product to be downloaded. But it’s not. Now what? Again, remember that patience is a virtue. It will happen, just not when and how you think it should.

I must have spent days and hours laboring over my first TPT product. Mostly because I didn’t know what I was doing and it took me even longer to figure things out. I must have reinvented the wheel at least a half dozen times (without meaning to!) After spending literally days trying to perfect my product, it was time to create my free product. I threw my free product together in less than half an hour. Do you know that it continues to be one of my most downloaded products to this day? It boggled my mind. How could something I spent days developing not sell at all, but something I put together in minutes fly off the shelves? That’s one of the things about TPT. It cannot be predicted. One could argue….was my product being downloaded because it was free…or because it really was that good? It’s hard to say!  It’s hard to tell what will sell and what won’t. Don’t get discouraged, just keep moving ahead!  

Fair  Pricing

Speaking of laboring over your products… Pricing is (for me) the most difficult part of TPT. You don’t want to just give your product away, but you don’t want to price yourself out of business. Your pricing should match up to the quality and content of the product. There are tons of pricing guides and you can do a search on TPT to find the one right for you.  Be sure to factor out how much work it took to make the product. This is huge! Try not to factor in the days, hours, sweat, and tears that it took me to make the product. Do a search on comparable products, to get an idea on pricing. Look at the amount of pages and quality of work. Make sure that your prices are comparable. 

The Value of the Forums

One thing you will read and hear people say, is that you must visit the forums. This is 110% true. I didn’t start visiting the forums until several months later. So start off better than me and go to the forums immediately! You gain insight and learn ways to improve your craft. It is such a supportive community and people are ready and willing to help you out. 

Don’t Fret Over Followers

Buyers will begin to appreciate the quality of your work and will become repeat buyers. Then over time, you will begin to build a following. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. Let followers happen naturally.

The post 4 Important Lessons When Starting Your Teachers Pay Teachers Store appeared first on The Artsy SLP.

Freebie Ratio

Be careful with freebies. You don’t want to have too many freebies, otherwise there won’t be an incentive for people to buy products in your store. The general rule of thumb 10% is the absolute maximum of freebies in your store and average should be 3% to 5%.  Try to keep your freebies to a minimum.  Having freebies will not automatically persuade people to buy something. Although some people may actually buy a product from your store, most will just download the freebie.

Using Freebies for Marketing
You can create freebies that are a shorter version of a paid product. Creating a freebie with a shorter version of a paid product is a great way to give buyers an idea of what to expect. Then hopefully if they like the freebie, they will purchase the full version.

Flash Freebies
Flash freebies are when you take a paid product and make it free for a certain amount of time. This can range from one to seven days. Many sellers make a brand new product free for a certain amount of time, and then turn it into a paid product. Typically, sellers will offer flash freebies to their followers to give them a first look at their new products.

Summary
Realize that your freebies will be downloaded frequently, so don’t overdue it. Some people will download your freebie and potentially buy something. However, most will just move on without buying a thing. So use freebies wisely. If used right, it can be a very valuable marketing tool.

What are you waiting on? Join TPT today!

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Understanding the Meaning of “Fair Use”

Many people misunderstand exactly what fair use means. When creating products for Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT), it’s common to use clip art, graphics, fonts, etc. in your products. It’s not okay to just give credit or link to the store to be protected under fair use and copyright law. If you don’t have permission from the author/owner, to use their product then you don’t have permission to use any part of their product in items that you sell.

Designers are very specific with how their products are to be used. Make sure to read their Terms of Use (TOU). Most designers require you to give them credit with a link back to their page/store. However, other terms are more specific. Some clip art and fonts are not to be used commercially and are only for personal use. Read on for tips on understanding copyrights and fair use when creating products for your TPT Store.

Personal Use
This means that you can use a design product (clipart, fonts, etc.) for personal use only. This typically means that you can use their product in your own classroom, with students, on projects, etc. Personal use means that you can use a  product personally; but cannot sell it.

Commercial Use
This means that design products can be used as part of your products to sell. To give credit, include a Credits Page with a link to the design products used. Most require a link back to their store as part of the TOU. Be sure to read the TOU carefully. Some designers ask for more, such as, crediting them on the website where your product is sold.

Copyright on Freebies
All of this applies to freebies too. Just because a design product is free doesn’t mean that you can use the design however you please. Graphic designers have TOUs for free items as well. For example: some freebies are only for personal use. Also, even most freebies require credit back to where you got it from.

Summary
When in doubt…ASK! Don’t ever assume anything. If you have a question about how clip art and fonts are to be used, contact the designer. They will be more than happy to answer your questions. Remember that someone put hard work into designing these products, so make sure that proper credit is given! Understanding copyrights and fair use are an important part of your journey on Teachers Pay Teachers.

For more tips on starting your TPT Store, read my blog posts on: TPT Tips for Beginners.

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