Review: Model Me Kids Videos

The "Model Me Kids" line of videos uses child actors to demonstrate appropriate social skills in a variety of contexts. Using a clear, behavioral teaching method, they make it easy to point out when and how to greet, engage with, and avoid negative interactions with peers. With the exception of the "I Can Do It" video, which is not especially useful, these seem solid and well-designed for kids who are verbal and interested in social interaction."Model Me Kids" uses a behavioral "here's how" approach to teach specific social skills. The videos are not based on any particular social skills curriculum, but draw from their creator's experience in behavioral therapy. Plenty of research indicates that video modeling can be helpful in building social skills -- particularly for visual learners -- and these videos are highly visual and well-presented.

What I like about these videos is that they are narrated and acted by young people. They also present realistic scenarios. One in particular, "Conversation Cues," actually zeroes in on the details of how to manage peer interactions in the tricky adolescent years. Short clips present detailed information about body language and appropriate reactions without preaching or lecturing. Other videos, "Time for a Playdate" and "Time for School," present similarly specific content for younger children. Only one, "I Can Do It!" seems less than carefully crafted.

Overall, however, these videos are inappropriate for children who are nonverbal. They may also be tough to use in non-inclusive settings, since their use requires practice with typical peers. The creators are in the process of developing a curriculum to support video use, and these may provide some clearer ideas about just how to use these videos as teaching tools in a variety of settings.

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