The Brain's Playground: Using Improv Games To Teach Social And Emotional Learning

The Brain's Playground: Using Improv Games To Teach Social and Emotional Learning is a textbook that supports individuals with Social and Emotional Learning using improv games. Social and Emotional Learning (www.casel.org) includes five areas: social awareness, relationship skills, self-management, responsible decision-making and self-awareness. Improv games are used to create teachable moments when working with individuals of all abilities. Improv games help individuals to learn and connect while having fun in inclusive settings. The Brain's Playground: Using Improv Games To Teach Social and Emotional Learning promotes connection through enjoyable activities that build relationships, improves social skills and increases verbal and nonverbal communication. The Brain's Playground: Using Improv Games To Teach Social and Emotional Learning is a tool to be used by providers in the field of education, special education, psychology and more. Improv is used not only in theater, but in life. 

Testimonials:

“I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in teaching social skills to children with developmental disabilities. Social interaction skills are typically difficult to teach because they require learners to be “in the moment” and adjust to the continual flow of exchanges during interactions. The activities presented in this book will allow you to conduct fun activities with learners to help them become more comfortable and competent when socially interacting with others. I have personally witnessed some of these activities and saw the learners having fun participating and resulted in them becoming more comfortable and confident when interacting with others. When these activities are paired with highly-effective behavioral teaching strategies, they can result in significant improvement in social interactions, while having fun in the process.”

— James Partington, Ph.D., BCBA-D

“A superb practical guide filled with strategies for any anxious or veteran teacher trying to foster their students’ Social-Emotional Development. There is no need to have a comedic background to utilize these improv techniques; all that is required is an earnest interest to help all students increase their Emotional Intelligence. In return, the teacher will undoubtedly unlock their students’ promising potential with each activity.”

— Dolores Gallegos, Ed. D

“Schools are meant to be communities of learning, so the whole point is to learn along with people of all different abilities. Social Emotional Learning with improv fosters the community so that deeper, more authentic learning can take place for everyone”

— April F. M. Rasmussen, Ph.D.

Curriculum Consultant for Zip Zap Zop Enrichment