I love hanging out and playing with my friends, we go to the park and ride our bikes around town but only when our mom's tell uswe can.
Hello! My name is Jacob.I am 8 years old and I live in Michigan.School starts in a few days and I am going to be insecond grade.
I love my family even though Lily's crying is very annoying.
I live with my mom, dad, my older brother Michael, and my baby sister Lily
I came home from the park right before dinner time and I was starving!My parents made my favorite dinner since tomorrow is a huge day!
Today was last day of summer and I spent all day hanging out with my best friend Liam.
I am so excited for tomorrow, I don't know if I am going to be able to sleep!!
Now it's time for bed. I ate, brushed my teeth, cleaned my room, and picked out my clothes for tomorrow.
I decided to wear my favorite red shirt for my first day. I can't wait!That must be my teacher waiting at the door. I better go inside before the bell rings.
I don't see my friend Liam in my class. That's okay though because I am going to make so many new friends! I wonder what we will learn about today?
Welcome to your first day of second grade!
I also love recess, but I can't tell the teacher that it's my favorite!
Let's start today by introducing ourselves. Jacob, why don't you come up here and tell us your favorite school subject?
Hi everyone! My name is Jacob and my favorite subject in school is math.
Okay class, this is Alex. His favorite subject in school is writing! This is a new school for him so let's all make him feel welcome here.
I wonder why Alex didn't introduce himself. I am going to try to sit with him at lunch today!
I sat with Alex at lunch. He smiled and waved at me, but didn't say anything. I even tried asking him if pizza was his favorite food since I saw that was what he had for lunch.
When the class went to the playground I asked him if he wanted play catch with the football. He still didn't say a word.
After school, I told my parents about a kid in my class who doesn't really talk. They mentioned try using gestures tomorrow to communicate with him!
I told my parents there was a new kid at school named Alex and how he seemed nice but wouldn't talk.
Today at lunch I asked Alex if he wanted my apple and held it out to give it to him.
Alex smiled at me and took the apple.
My parents told me I should use a mix of hand gestures and words to communicate to Alex.
Alex and I communicated through gestures all day.
Today in class, we will...
We became good friends and shared school supplies.
I was excited to tell my parents that Alex and I are best friends.
I asked them if Alex could come over for a playdate. They said yes!
Hi! This is Jacob's mom, we were wondering if Alex would like to come over next week for a play date?
Alex would love to come over, I want to let you know although Alex doesn't really talk, he communicates through gestures, eye contact, body language, and posture!
Alex's parents were so happy he made a new friend. Since school has started, Alex has not made a lot of friends. Going over to Jacob's house means the world.
Since Alex didn't verbally communicate often, other kids didn't bother to interact with him. As a result, this made Alex sad.
The night before the play date, Jacob could barely contain his excitement! He was so happy Alex was coming over!
Good afternoon! Im so happy to have you guys here.
The next day Alex and his mom came to drop Alex off for his play date.
Thank you so much for having him over! He's been looking forward to it and is so happy he made a friend!
I'm so happy to be here! I can't wait to play with Jacob!
Thank you for bringing Alex over today! Jacob could not stop talking about it!
No, thank you! I am so happy that Alex was able to make a friend! Jacob is the sweetest.
They communicated to each other with lots of gestures, body language, and posture.
Alex and Jacob played and played until it was time to go home for dinner.
Thank you so much for letting Alex come over! We had a blast!
Alex and Jacob had a good day and are very excited to have another playdate again soon!
I hope we can have another playdate soon!
Mom, I had so much fun today. Can we please have another playdate?
Jacob realized today, and in the past days that not everyone is capable of the same things. Some children cannot speak vocally, but instead by gestures, body language, and posture. Like Alex. These people are just like other kids and should be treated the same as any other individual.
Sometimes it is as easy as changing your ways to make others feel included.
Of course Jacob! I'm glad you are making friends and being inclusive to kids like Alex who communicate differently.