Thinking in my Mind
Being Polite: a social story

Thinking in my Mind
Being Polite
Author : Simmi Vasu
Artwork Courtesy : Sunflower artworks- Dhrov Tikoo, Nina, boy and girl artworks by Morpheus Nag, Kind net artwork by Vinayak Raj; and some Google images
Story idea : https://www.socialthinking.com/Articles?name=teaching-through-thought-bubbles-speech-bubbles

Hello! I am Nina, Today my buddy Sunshine (a sunflower) is going to make you learn the super duper cool ways to be polite.

What is being polite?

Being polite means, we care for the feelings of others. We do not use rude & nasty words even in anger.
Let me explain this
Our head has a “Thinking Bubble” & a “Talking Bubble”

Well, well this is a “Thinking Bubble” 👇

and this a “ Talking Bubble” 👇

Nina: There are so many thoughts which run in my mind.

Sunshine : Yes, I think a lot too. Like, I think of the sun, when will it be up and I can see all my friends, or what if the bees don’t come to have their fill of my nectar? (Well! this thought itself is scary)

Nina: We all think about many things in our mind throughout the day. But we have to be careful when we speak or talk about (express) these thoughts loudly.

Sunshine: yes, yes, I do talk to my bee friends.
Thoughts can be good when you express them. They make others happy.

Boy: Hi your dress looks really nice.
Girl: Thank you!!

It can be unkind too
Boy: Your hair is messy..
Girl: That was rude!!

Sunshine: Rude and unkind words hurt my friends and family

Everyone can hear these as I say them loudly.

No one can hear these words, these are words in my head.

Sunshine : Before I speak out my thoughts I take it through my “Kind Net”

Here’s the kind net my brain is using.

Nina: “Kind Net”, What is a “Kind Net”
Sunshine: Well, “Kind Net” is a net in my head through which I run my thoughts before I speak.

So, before the thoughts come to my “Talking Bubble” I check:
• If what I am saying are kind words
• They are not rude & nasty
• They are not hurting others.
• I don’t speak out secrets someone entrusted me with.
• I am not constantly talking out loud when no one is around.
• I am not humming, talking to myself constantly or when others are speaking to me.
I sieve my thoughts in the “Kind Net” and only speak out good thoughts, and thoughts which are to be spoken out.


When I use the “Kind Net”, I am being Polite.
I am also paying attention to what others are saying to me.
I am caring about others feelings. My teachers, friends and family are also very happy.
Nina: True Sunshine, A “Kind Net” makes you the super shine blossom .. and people love to have you around and be your friend.
This is a social story to be used for children and children with special needs. It can be circulated Free of Cost and should NOT be used in parts or whole for any monetary gain.

Author Simmi Vasu