*Ground rule: ask no direct questions of the child early in the process.

Visit the child at his or her home if possible.

Playground: Meet after school, on the playground one-on-one with the child. Move into the classroom in a future session, when the child seems ready.  Bring food (juice, snack for after school play date)

Tea Party:  Host a tea party with teacher, including hats.

“Getting to Know You Charades”

Supplies: paper, markers and preprinted topics on separate pieces of paper (hobby, favorite food, sport you like, favorite animal, favorite movie, TV show, etc.).  Also have blank squares so that additional topics can be created.  Instructions: “It” draws a topic and shows it to the group.  “It” then acts out his or her answer.  Players guess (either verbally or by writing answer). 

Taping:  Bring a mini tape recorder, to be used as verbal intermediary.  This is one of the last steps used in this stage and can help the child transition from the nonverbal to the verbal stage.

Whenever possible, show the child a silly side of yourself.  The point is to join the child in his or her world, not ask that they enter yours.