1Perspective Taking ITS IMPACT ON THE SOCIAL AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF STUDENTS

2Today’s Learning Outcomes

To understand the complexities of perspective taking and the implications it has on a student’s ability to thrive both socially and academically

To gather practical ideas and resources for supporting the growth and development of perspective taking skills

3Overview Of The Day

Introductions/ice breaker/initial thoughtsDefine perspective taking qualitiesWhat is the social and academic impact on students

who lack the ability to take perspective?Break (15 minutes)How do we support growth and development of

perspective taking skills?Closing thoughts and questions

4Introductions

Introduce yourself to a partner and tell them three things about yourself

You and your partner will take turns introducing each other to the class

5Ice Breaker

OceanWhat words come to mind when you think of the

ocean?Think of what you might see, hear, smell or feelWrite your thoughts on the cards provided

6What is perspective taking?

“Perspective taking refers to our ability to relate to others. It is our ability to perceive someone else’s thoughts, feelings, and motivations. In other words it refers to our ability to empathize with someone else and see things from their perspective.”

7Continued…

“Most people can intuitively tell how someone else feels in a conversation. When they speak to someone who’s looking around and not paying attention, they perceive the person is not interested in the conversation or is distracted for some reason. They know if they see tears in the person’s eyes that the person is upset (Isa Marrs, 2014).”

8What is Theory of Mind?

“Theory of Mind is the ability to not only understand that people have different beliefs, motivations, knowledge and moods but also understand how that effects their actions and behavior as well as our own. Theory of Mind is a necessary component of perspective taking. (Isa Marrs, 2014).”

9Is it possible to teach perspective taking?

10Three Steps to Perspective Taking

Step 1When you come into my space I have a thought

about you and you have a thought about me

Step 2 I understand you have thoughts and feelings

different from mine

11Continued…

Step Three

I can adjust my thinking and actions based on others thoughts and feelings. To keep you thinking about

me the way I would like you to think about me

12What makes us good perspective takers?

Recognizing each person as an individual Recognizing each person has his or her own feelings and

emotionsUnderstanding each person has their own motives

desires and intentions

Adapted from Michelle Garcia Winner, 2007

13Continued…

Recognizing social conventions in specific social environments

Understanding social conventions are specific to settingUsing eye contact to remain aware Knowing how to

inquire about another person’s interestsRealizing individuals have their own personality

14Continued…

Having an innate desire to learn about others interests and history

Remembering a person to help build and maintain relationships, as well as develop an understanding of a person’s possible actions

the persons different possible feelings/emotions through out an interaction

Considering prior knowledge and experience of the person you may talk to

15Selman’s Five Stages of Perspective Taking

Stages and Ages Description

Undifferentiated Perspective TakingAge 3-6

Recognize that self and others have different thoughts and feelings

Frequently confuses the twoSocial-informational Perspective TakingAge 5-9

Recognize different perspectives may be due to people accessing different information

Self –reflective Perspective TakingAge 7-12

Able to step into another person’s shoes and view thoughts and feelings from another perspective

Aware that others can do the same

Third-party Perspective Taking Age 10-15

Able to step out of a two person interaction and imagine how they are being viewed by a third party

Societal Perspective TakingAge 15-Adult

Able to understand that third party perspective can be influenced by larger societal values.

16Perspective Taking According to

Sheldon

17Consequences for Lack of Perspective Taking

Social Academic

• Social isolation• Being considered

insensitive• Maybe considered a bully

or self centered • Difficulty maintaining

friendships

• Difficulty working in groups• Lack of understanding of

assignments• Difficulty accepting teacher

feedback leading to challenging relationships

• Lack of comprehension

18Break Time!

19How do we facilitate the development of perspective taking?

Find a target area to work on. Consider the list of qualities and stages of perspective taking to help target an area.

Consider the cognitive ability of your student. Does he/she need visuals, physical acting out, video taping? What will work best to get the message to them?

Create an environment that is safe and comfortable for the student. ie: If they work best with another student in a quiet place, consider removing them for a quick daily lesson with a carefully chosen classmate.

20Continued…

Be realistic, this is a work in progressTry things for a period of time. It’s rare for

change to happen overnightDo not reinvent the wheel. There is a

tremendous amount of activities and worksheets already to be used both online and in resource books

21Activities to Support Perspective Taking

The following is a very small sample of activities to support perspective taking.

Please participate and enjoy the process!

22Activity #1 Social Behaviour Mapping

Social Behaviour MapBehaviours that are UNEXPECTED!

Place: Lunchroom  

Unexpected behaviours

How they make others feel

Negative consequences you experience

How you feel about yourself

1.Refusing to share the lunch table        2. Refusing to clean up after you eat          

Rejected Confused Sad  Afraid   Lunch monitors are frustrated Stressed out  Lack trust Unhappy

Classmates don’t want to sit with you or get to know you       People hovering Conflict Privileges revoked   

Rejected  Confused  Lonely  Frustrated   Embarrassed  Frustrated  Angry 

Social Behaviour MapBehaviours that are EXPECTED!

Place: Lunchroom  

Expected behaviours How they make others feel

Positive consequences you experience

How you feel about yourself

1.Sharing the lunch table      2. Putting your lunch and dishes away after lunch          

Welcomed  Included Interested in you   Lunch monitors are relieved More relaxed Happy to see you Trusting

Classmates want to sit with you and get to know you     Independence Privileges in the lunch room Becoming a monitor  Opportunity to be a leader

Included  Happy Proud   Proud Motivated  Excited 

23Practice Social Behaviour Mapping

24Activity #2 Look Inside My Head!The thoughts in my

head show you about my experiences, beliefs and interests. This influences what I say and how I respond to things during social interaction. This is my perspective. What’s yours?

25Activity #3: What is everybody thinking?

26Resources to Check Out

Michelle Garcia Winner and Pam Crooke, Social Thinking website and many resource books with activities and worksheets

Jill Kuzma: http://jillkuzma.wordpress.com/perspective-taking-skills/teaching-ideas/

Pintrest has endless ideas for quick perspective taking activities

http://www.pinterest.com/kcssw/social-thinking-perspective-taking/

Youtube has many excellent videos that demonstrate perspective taking

27

QUIZ TIME!10 minutes

28For Next TimeChoose one activity you tried today and use it with a student.

Bring feedback… Did you alter anything to make it more suitable for your

student? Was the student receptive? Will it be helpful to build long term perspective taking skills?

Remember, many activities need to be repeated several or many times in order to experience growth and development of a skill.

29References Slides 7 & 8

M. Garcia Winner & P. Crooke. (2014). Zooming In. Workshop, Richmond, BC. Slides 12, 13 & 14

M. Garcia Winner. (2007). Thinking About You, Thinking About Me. San Jose, CA. Think Social Publishing Inc.

Slide 16

Selman’s Five Stages of Perspective Taking. (2002). Retrieved September 3, 2014. from http://everything2.com/title/Selman%2527s+Five+Stages+of+Perspective+Taking