How to Use Ways To Be Helpful in the Dining Room

If you’ve read Sophie’s Helpful Day, you’ve already seen a version of a Ways To Be Helpful board on Sophie’s refrigerator. A Ways To Be Helpful Board is just what it sounds like: It shows visual images of actions children can take to be helpful!

The purpose of your Ways To Be Helpful Board isn’t for each activity to be done perfectly; it’s for the children to be helpful, contribute to the family, and experience the feel-good vibes that come as a result.

In the dining room, the Bug Family uses a Ways To Be Helpful sign for dining room behaviors. It depicts family members chewing with their mouths closed, passing the food platters to each other, and sitting up straight in their chairs. Imagine the way you want meals in your dining room to look and feel. Now break that down into 3-5 simple visuals and create your own Ways To Be Helpful for your dining room.

In Annabelle’s room, there is a Ways To Be Helpful that shows actions children can take when Mom is putting the baby to sleep. Shubert has a Ways To Be Helpful that shows six different social skills he’s working on (turn-taking, kind words, S.T.A.R. breathing, sharing, asking for help and using the Time Machine). Wherever you post your Ways To Be Helpful, you will want to show visuals of tasks that are age-appropriate, and provide ample time and the assistance necessary for children to succeed.