Helping Children Understand Autism: Gentle Activities for Awareness Month - post

April is a perfect time to focus on kindness, inclusion, and belonging. Whether your program calls it Autism Awareness Month or Autism Acceptance Month, you can use simple activities to help children understand differences in a respectful way. This guide shares easy classroom ideas, family-friendly tips, and next steps for continued learning. #Kindness #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Inclusion

Why does Autism Awareness Month matter?

Autism Awareness Month (often also called Autism Acceptance Month) is a helpful time to talk about how each brain works a little differently. When children hear simple, respectful facts and see kind actions, they learn to accept peers who learn, play, or communicate in different ways.

ChildCareEd shares ideas for focusing on acceptance and inclusion during April here: Shining a Light on Autism Awareness Month

Why it matters :

💛 Children learn respect and empathy when adults model acceptance.

🧩 Early awareness can lead to early support for children and families.

✅ Small classroom changes can help all children feel safe and ready to learn.

For accurate, family-friendly information, the CDC offers free materials and communication resources about autism here: Autism Materials and Resources

How can we teach children to be kind and include peers with autism?

Teaching kindness works best when it is hands-on and repeated. Use short lessons, books, and role-play so children can practice friendly words and actions.

Try these steps:

📚 Read a story that shows different ways of thinking and feeling. Choose picture books that include neurodiverse characters and emotions.

🗣️ Teach short “friendship phrases.” Practice lines like:

• “Do you want to play?”

• “Can I help?”
  Use puppets, blocks, or dramatic play to practice.

🤝 Model friendly actions. Show what it looks like to:

• Offer a toy

• Wait for a turn

• Give space when someone needs quiet time

✨ Celebrate small acts: Name what you see: “You waited. That was kind.” so children notice what kindness looks like.

🧩 Use play to connect. Follow a child’s lead and interests, then add one small new idea to expand the play gently.

For more support, ChildCareEd offers helpful articles on inclusion, such as:  Make Your Classroom More Inclusive & Make My Teaching More Inclusive

What are easy classroom activities and celebrations for the month?

Activity ideas (adapt to age):

🎨 “Differences Are Beautiful” art: Children draw something that makes them unique and share one simple sentence (or point/show their picture).

📘 Book + calm questions: Read a short story and ask just 1–2 questions so all children can respond in their own way (words, pointing, drawing, acting).

🔵 Color day (optional): Some groups choose blue; others use #RedInstead to focus on acceptance. Keep the message simple: “We show support by being kind and including others.”

🧩 Sensory support options: Offer a quiet corner, fidgets, soft lighting, or a cozy seat when helpful.

🖨️ Family visuals: Send home simple visuals like “kind words” cards or a feelings chart so families can use the same language at home.

For ready-to-use lessons ChildCareEd offers:

• Activities for Autism Awareness Month

How can providers prepare, learn, and support children year-round?

Support works best when it is consistent. Training, teamwork, and community resources can make a big difference over time.

ChildCareEd has courses and resources to help providers build skills, such as Play with Purpose, Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Child Care, and Typical & Atypical Development in ECE.

Steps to get started:

🔍 Learn basic signs and strengths: Use a short training or trusted fact sheets.

🤝 Build local contacts: Keep a simple list of community supports and referral options.

📆 Make your supports part of the daily routine: Visual schedules, calm-down tools, and clear classroom expectations help many children—not just autistic children.

📚 Keep learning and stay consistent: Share strategies with families so children get the same support in both places.

🧠 Use regulation tools: Teach and model simple self-regulation skills so children can name feelings and calm their bodies. Try tools like a feelings chart, calm-down cards, breathing bubbles, or a “quiet corner.”

📆 Make a plan: Build supports into your daily routine, such as visual schedules, sensory breaks, and communication tools (like picture cards or first/then boards). Keep routines predictable and give warnings before transitions.

📚 Keep learning: Train staff and share simple strategies with families so everyone uses consistent supports. ChildCareEd offers helpful courses, including:

• Effective Approaches for Autism and Inclusion
• Coaching for Success: Inclusive Strategies to Support Children with Autism
• Autism Awareness in Child Care