🐿️ The Busy Little Squirrel in the Inclusive Classroom

In every classroom, stories have the power to spark imagination, build connections, and nurture important skills. The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri is a delightful picture book that follows a squirrel gathering food for winter while politely declining invitations from other animals. Beyond its charming illustrations, this book can be a powerful teaching tool in an inclusive classroom.

Why This Story Works So Well

• Predictable Structure: The repetitive pattern (“The squirrel is too busy!”) provides comfort and helps children anticipate what comes next. Predictability is especially supportive for students with autism.

• Clear Visuals: Tafuri’s illustrations are bold and uncluttered, making it easier for children to focus on the main action.

• Social Themes: The squirrel models polite refusal and persistence—skills that can be directly connected to social-emotional learning.

• Sensory-Friendly Engagement: The natural setting and animal sounds can be paired with sensory activities (e.g., acorn counting, leaf textures) to make the story multi-sensory.

Classroom Activities

Here are some creative ways to bring The Busy Little Squirrel to life in an autism classroom:

• 🐿️ Sequencing Cards: Create picture cards of each animal and food item. Students can practice putting events in order.

• Sensory Bin: Add a variety of items to a sensory bin in increase creativity and connection.

  

• 🗣️ Social Scripts: Practice saying “No, thank you” or “I’m busy” in a polite way, just like the squirrel.

• 🎨 Art Connection: Have students draw or paint their own “busy squirrel” preparing for winter.

  • Take the students on a leaf hunt to add to their squirrel's tails.

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  🔔 Movement Breaks: Incorporate animal movements (hop like a frog, flap like a bird) between reading sections to keep energy regulated.

Building Skills Through Story

• Language Development: Repetition supports vocabulary growth and sentence structure.

• Executive Functioning: The squirrel’s focus on a goal models task persistence.

• Social Understanding: Students learn that it’s okay to decline invitations while still being kind.

• Emotional Regulation: The calm rhythm of the story can be grounding for students who need a soothing narrative.

  
  

Conclusion

The Busy Little Squirrel isn’t just a sweet autumn tale! It’s a versatile teaching tool that can help children practice sequencing, social skills, and sensory exploration in a joyful way. By weaving together story, play, and structured activities, teachers can create a classroom environment where every child feels engaged, supported, and celebrated.

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