Social Emotional Learning For Kids: Benji, the Bad Day, and Me | Vooks Storytime

Vooks

25 Jan 202210:51

Summary

TLDRThe story revolves around Sammy, who has a tough day marked by mishaps and disappointments, and his autistic brother Benji, who finds solace in his 'box'. Despite their differences, they share a strong bond. Benji's unique way of comforting Sammy, by wrapping him in a blanket, mirrors the family's method of nurturing Benji. The narrative highlights the importance of understanding and embracing the individual needs of autistic children, while also celebrating the unbreakable bond between siblings.

Takeaways

🎒 The story revolves around a character named Sammy who has a bad day at school and home.
🚌 Sammy's mishaps include being yelled at for kicking a fence, missing his bus stop, and coming home hungry, cold, and wet.
🐶 Sammy's brother, Benji, has a 'box' where he retreats when he has a bad day, a place that is cozy and safe.
🎨 The box was made by Sammy, Benji, and their mother, symbolizing a collaborative family effort.
👶 Benji is portrayed as a young child who is possibly on the autism spectrum, with sensory sensitivities and specific behaviors.
🤗 Benji's family is understanding and supportive, modifying their behavior to accommodate his needs when he's upset.
🍕 Sammy feels neglected when he has a bad day, as no one seems to notice or offer him the same comfort as Benji.
🥣 Sammy's frustration escalates when he spills milk in the kitchen, leading to an emotional breakdown.
🧘‍♂️ Benji comes out of his box to comfort Sammy, using a familiar comforting routine of wrapping him in a blanket.
👨‍👦‍👦 The story highlights the bond between the two brothers and the importance of sibling support, regardless of the day's events.
📚 The author's note emphasizes the individuality of children with autism and the diversity of their needs and behaviors.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the story?
-The main theme of the story is the bond between siblings, particularly focusing on the relationship between Sammy and his autistic brother Benji, and how they navigate through both good and bad days.
What incident at recess led to Sammy getting yelled at?
-Sammy got yelled at for kicking the fence during recess.
Why was Sammy upset at lunchtime?
-Sammy was upset because they ran out of his favorite pizza, so he didn't eat anything.
What happened on the bus ride home that added to Sammy's bad day?
-The bus driver missed Sammy's stop, forcing him to walk all the way back home in the rain.
What is the significance of Benji's box?
-Benji's box is a safe and cozy space where he can retreat to when he's had a bad day at preschool.
How does the family treat Benji when he's had a bad day?
-When Benji has a bad day, the family tiptoes and speaks softly around him, providing a calm environment.
What activity did Sammy and Benji do together to create the box?
-Sammy and Benji, with their mother's help, made the box together last summer. They cut the window flaps and painted it.
Why does Sammy wish he had a box like Benji's for his bad days?
-Sammy wishes he had a box like Benji's because he feels that no one pays attention to his feelings or provides a comforting space for him on his bad days.
What does the 'super happy lady' refer to in the story?
-The 'super happy lady' refers to a professional, possibly an occupational therapist, who Benji visits for help with coordination and sensory processing.
How does Benji comfort Sammy when he's upset?
-Benji comforts Sammy by wrapping him in his big blue blanket, similar to how their mother comforts Benji, and saying 'you're my little burrito'.
What message does the author's note convey about the portrayal of autism in the story?
-The author's note emphasizes that no two autistic children are alike, with different needs, behaviors, and ways of coping, and that the story's portrayal of Benji is just one example of the spectrum of autism.
What is the significance of the 'little burrito' phrase used by the mother?
-The phrase 'little burrito' is a term of endearment and comfort used by the mother when she wraps Benji in his blanket, symbolizing warmth, safety, and love.
How does the story illustrate the importance of sibling relationships?
-The story shows that despite the challenges and bad days, the bond between Sammy and Benji is strong and comforting, highlighting the importance of sibling relationships.

Outlines

00:00

🌧️ A Day of Mishaps

The first paragraph introduces a series of unfortunate events that befall the narrator during a single day. Starting with getting reprimanded at recess for kicking the fence, followed by the disappointment of no pizza at lunch, and culminating in a missed bus stop that forces a walk home in the rain. The narrator feels neglected when compared to the attention given to Benji, the family's pet, who has his own 'box' for bad days. The family dynamics are highlighted, showing a contrast in how the narrator and Benji are treated when they experience bad days, and the narrator's desire for a similar comforting space.

05:06

🛌 Comfort in a Blanket Burrito

In the second paragraph, the narrator's frustration peaks after a series of mishaps, including spilling milk in the kitchen. Benji, who has been observing from his safe space, decides to take action. He uses his blue blanket to create a comforting burrito wrap for the narrator, mimicking the nurturing actions of their mother. This gesture of empathy and care strengthens their sibling bond, as they find solace in each other's company. The author's note at the end provides insight into the inspiration behind the story, highlighting the different sensory experiences and needs of autistic children, and the importance of sibling relationships.

10:17

📚 An Invitation to Explore Books

The third paragraph is a promotional message encouraging the audience to explore a kid-safe, ad-free library of storybooks. The narrator shares a personal favorite story from the collection and urges others to ask their grown-ups to start exploring the platform. This paragraph serves as a call to action for children and parents to engage with the storytelling platform, promising an enriching and entertaining experience.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Bad Day

A 'bad day' refers to a day filled with unfortunate events or negative experiences. In the video's theme, it is central to the narrative as it describes the protagonist's series of unfortunate events, such as being yelled at for kicking the fence, missing lunch due to the favorite food running out, and getting wet from rain. The concept is also extended to Benji, whose 'bad day' is symbolized by him playing in his box.

💡Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. The video showcases empathy through the actions of Benji, who, despite having a bad day himself, takes the initiative to comfort his brother by wrapping him in a blanket, a gesture that usually their mother does for him. This act demonstrates the importance of empathy in sibling relationships.

💡Box

In the context of the video, a 'box' serves as a safe and comforting space for Benji, especially on bad days. It is a physical representation of a sanctuary where he can retreat to when feeling overwhelmed. The box is also a collaborative creation between Benji, his brother, and their mother, symbolizing family bonding.

💡Sensory Sensitivity

Sensory sensitivity is a condition where individuals have heightened responses to sensory input such as sound, light, or touch. The video mentions that Benji, who is implied to be autistic, is sensitive to sensory input, making the world feel too intense for him. This concept is important as it helps to understand the character's needs and behaviors.

💡Sibling Bond

A 'sibling bond' refers to the emotional connection between brothers and sisters. The video emphasizes the importance of this bond through the interactions between Sammy and Benji, showing that despite the bad days, they support and comfort each other, which is a central theme of the story.

💡Autism

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behaviors. The video features Benji, who is described as having autism, and it highlights the need for understanding and acceptance of the diverse behaviors and needs of autistic individuals.

💡Stimming

Stimming, short for self-stimulating behavior, is a repetitive action or movement that helps an individual with autism or other conditions to self-regulate. The video mentions that some autistic kids stim to disperse extra energy and stress, which is an important aspect of understanding their sensory needs.

💡Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a form of therapy that helps individuals with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities to develop, recover, or maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. In the video, Benji visits an 'OT' clinic, referred to as the 'super happy lady,' for assistance with coordination and sensory processing.

💡Comfort

Comfort in this video is depicted as a state of physical or emotional ease, often provided through actions like wrapping in a blanket or being acknowledged by a loved one. The act of wrapping Benji and later Sammy in a blanket is a recurring theme that symbolizes comfort and care.

💡Sibling Rivalry

Sibling rivalry refers to the competitive or antagonistic relationship between siblings. Although the video primarily focuses on the bond between Sammy and Benji, there are moments that hint at rivalry, such as Sammy sticking his tongue out at Benji's box, which adds a layer of realism to their relationship.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or adapt to change. The video portrays resilience through Sammy's journey of having a bad day but eventually finding comfort and strength in his brother's support, illustrating the theme of overcoming adversity.

Highlights

Benji has a bad day at preschool and retreats to his comforting box.

The family has a special way of dealing with bad days by creating a safe space.

Sammy experiences a series of unfortunate events during his day.

Sammy feels neglected when no one acknowledges his bad day.

The creation of Benji's box is a family project that brings them together.

Benji's box is described as a cozy and safe haven for him.

Sammy wishes for a similar box for his bad days but doesn't have one.

Benji's block city is a significant project that requires care and attention.

Sammy's desire to learn karate is hindered by scheduling conflicts.

The 'super happy lady' represents a necessary but tiring part of Benji's routine.

Sammy feels the absence of usual comforts like berry smoothies and burritos on this bad day.

Benji's unique way of comforting Sammy by wrapping him in a blanket.

The importance of sibling support is highlighted through their interactions.

The story emphasizes the individual needs and behaviors of autistic children.

The author's note provides insight into the inspiration behind the story.

The story concludes with a message about the enduring bond of siblings.

A promotion for the Books app, encouraging exploration of its storybook offerings.