Social Sam v2: Fosters Social Understanding and Builds Social Skills
42 illustrated social learning stories plus support materials to build social understanding, self-regulation and pragmatic language skills. Target group is around 4-7 years.
What children learn with Sam
Each story is designed to spark conversation and build pragmatic language and social-emotional development in four key areas.
Social understanding
Developing perspective-taking skills - seeing things from other viewpoints and noticing how our actions affect the people around us.
Self-regulation
Recognising big feelings and building emotional regulation strategies - practical ways to manage emotions and responses.
Self-reflection
Encouraging metacognition - connecting the stories to real-life experiences and thinking about our own social choices.
Self-efficacy
Growing social confidence - building the belief that they can navigate tricky social moments and try new things independently.
Who uses Social Sam?
Designed for anyone who supports young children's social and emotional development.
Allied Health Professionals
Popular with speech pathologists, psychologists and OTs.
- Provides the basis for at least 42 sessions - individual or small group
- Pragmatic Checklist and Goal-Setter identifies each child's strengths
- Supports structured intervention planning
Classroom teachers
Ideal for circle time, SEL lessons, and pastoral care programs.
- Discussion questions make whole-class conversations easy
- Works beautifully on interactive whiteboards
- Supports the Personal and Social Capability strand of the Australian Curriculum
Parents and carers
Simple, friendly stories that open conversations about feelings, friendships, and getting along.
- Use at home on a tablet, laptop, or printed as booklets
- No specialist knowledge required
Social Sam v2 is neurodiversity-affirming
The focus is on viewing Sam engaging in social situations, reflecting on what happens and how it relates to a child's own experience of such situations. It is about building confidence and understanding while respecting each child's individual communication style and abilities.
What is pragmatic language?
The social side of communication that goes beyond words.
Pragmatic language refers to how people use communication to connect with others within different social, cultural, and situational contexts. It includes how we share turns, express needs and ideas, interpret meaning beyond words (such as tone, gesture, or humour), and adapt communication in ways that feel authentic and effective for us.
Pragmatic language varies across individuals and communities. Exploring Sam's stories allows children to think about their own pragmatic language skills.
Why it matters
Differences in pragmatic language can influence how children connect with peers, participate in group activities, navigate classroom routines, and communicate their needs. The pragmatic language used by neurotypical and neurodivergent children may look different, reflecting diverse and equally valid communication styles. Exploring stories together creates opportunities to notice, discuss, and respect these differences, while gently supporting the development of perspective-taking.
Understanding multiple perspectives - rather than expecting one "right" way to communicate - forms a meaningful foundation for pragmatic language growth.
Signs a child may need pragmatic language support
- Difficulty joining or maintaining play with peers
- Trouble taking turns in conversation
- Misreading social cues or body language
- Speaking in a way that seems blunt or off-topic
- Struggling with changes to routine or expectations
- Finding it hard to see another person's point of view
Social Sam was created by a speech pathologist to give educators, therapists, and parents an engaging, evidence-informed way to teach these skills through story. Each of the 42 stories presents a relatable social situation and opens the door to meaningful conversation.
A peek at Sam's world
Bright, friendly illustrations that children actually want to look at and talk about.
42 stories across 7 social learning focus areas
Each section tackles the pragmatic language situations children actually face, every day.
Foundations
7 stories
- What is a Friend?
- Being Friendly
- Favourite Things
- Different From Me
- + 3 more
Play Skills
7 stories
- Taking Turns
- Asking to Join Play
- Sharing
- Losing
- + 3 more
Relating to Others
7 stories
- Helping Others
- When Someone is Upset
- Accidents Happen
- + 4 more
Self-Help
5 stories
- Becoming Calm
- Asking for Help
- Trying
- Needing Time Out
- + 1 more
Social Norms
5 stories
- Getting Attention
- Saying Hello
- Interrupting
- + 2 more
School Routines
3 stories
- Getting the Teacher's Attention
- Listening to the Teacher
- Show and Tell
Conversations
8 stories
- Introducing a Topic
- Changing a Topic
- Taking Turns Talking
- + 5 more
An evidence-informed approach to social learning
Social Sam Version 2 has been thoughtfully updated to reflect current research and best practice in speech pathology and education.
Neurodiversity-affirming practice
Emphasises social motivation and understanding rather than rigid rules. Reduced focus on eye contact and compliance-based goals, reflecting current best practice.
Story-based intervention
Uses narrative as a vehicle for social learning. Children engage with relatable characters and situations, making abstract pragmatic concepts concrete and memorable.
Flexible delivery across settings
Works on interactive whiteboards, tablets, laptops, Smart TVs, or printed as booklets. Suitable for therapy rooms, classrooms, and home environments.
Inclusive representation
Characters and scenarios reflect a wider range of experiences, family structures, and abilities - so every child can see themselves in Sam's world.
Individualised goal-setting tools
The pragmatic checklist and goal-setter help educators and therapists set personalised social goals based on each child's unique abilities and comfort levels.
Everything in the download
One purchase, instant download. Use on a tablet, laptop, interactive whiteboard, Smart TV, or print the stories out. Ready for your students or clients today.
- A comprehensive manual
- 42 illustrated stories in seven sections
- 24 cue cards (small and large versions)
- A social glossary
- Pragmatic checklist and goal-setter
- Cut-out characters (Sam and Dino)
- Calm plan templates
- Certificate templates
- Video clips for the Becoming Calm strategy
- Social Sam Club access for future updates
Created by a speech pathologist
Social Sam is written and illustrated by an experienced clinician who works directly with children.
Lucia Smith
Speech Pathologist
Lucia is an Australian Certified Practising Speech Pathologist with over 30 years' experience.
She has been writing and illustrating for Pelican Talk Speech Therapy Resources since 2012, drawing on evidence-based practice and her extensive clinical work with children across a wide range of settings and age groups.
Lucia is also the developer of a specialist training program focused on using puppets to support social and emotional learning. This program has been listed on the Victorian School Readiness Funding Menu since 2021.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from educators, therapists, and parents about Social Sam.
What is pragmatic language and why does it matter?
What age group is Social Sam designed for?
How do speech pathologists use Social Sam?
Can I use Social Sam in a whole-class setting?
What makes Social Sam neurodiversity-affirming?
Is Social Sam aligned with the Australian Curriculum?
What format does Social Sam come in?
What is the difference between the licence options?
Pick the licence that fits
Every licence includes the complete resource. Choose the one that fits your team.
Single User
For one teacher or therapist to use with their own students or clients.
- Complete 570+ page resource
- Instant digital download
- Social Sam Club access
- For 1 educator
School / Clinic (5)
Up to 5 educators at the same location. Everyone shares one account login.
- Complete 570+ page resource
- Instant digital download
- Social Sam Club access
- Up to 5 educators at one location
School / Clinic (10)
Up to 10 educators at the same location. Ideal for larger teams.
- Complete 570+ page resource
- Instant digital download
- Social Sam Club access
- Up to 10 educators at one location
All prices in Australian dollars. Instant digital download after purchase.
Related resources
Other Pelican Talk resources that pair well with Social Sam.
Social Puppets - Two Puppets and Downloadable Program
Social Puppets (Version 2) is a brilliant program that is perfect for young children (preschoolers to first year of school). Using two puppets, the program explores 27 typical social situations common to young children. Its emphasis, however, is not simply teaching children to learn a routine of behaviour, but really developing the social understanding and the notions of empathy and persepctive of others - important facets underpinning successful social interactions.Popular for use with children who have social difficulties.The program comes with a downloadable program (containing 27 scripts and tips for teaching and two puppets (a girl and a boy - 35.5 cm tall - each RRP $70).You can purchase extra puppets at $70 each. See puppetsforlearning.com.au if you would like to add more puppets to the program.
Coco Koala's Emotions Cards
24 double-sided cards (9cm x12 cm) Did you know? When you learn the label of an emotional state, you are more likely to recognise when you are feeling that particular way... This emotional (self) awareness is the FIRST step to emotional self-management and self-regulation. You receive a card for*: Happy, Sad, Scared, Angry, Disgusted, Surprised, Annoyed, Jealous, Frustrated, Embarrassed, Proud, Brave, Calm, Excited, Upset, Furious, Silly, Creative, Amazed, Sorry, Loved, Kind, Left out*Note: Some of these states may not be regarded as "emotions" by some. For example, "Kind" could be seen as an attribute or a behavioural trait. For the purpose of this learning, we have included states that are common to children in what they experience and in their interactions with others.Exploring emotions also helps us recognise OTHERS' emotional states (part of social awareness) and this can lead to more successful social interactions.
Training for Therapists: Put a Puppet in Your Session
JOIN OUR ONLINE WORKSHOP SERIES! October 29th and November 5th 2025 - 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm. (You need to join BOTH sessions). This series is for therapists (speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists and play therapists).It covers using a puppet to support a range of intervention goals with a focus on social and emotional learning.Over two online sessions you will:Gain confidence using your puppet in both one-on-one and group sessions Learn to engage with children and to settle them using a puppet so they are ready to learn Learn what NOT to do when using a puppet Understand how to use a “calming puppet” Learn about creating a puppet profile that will suit your learning goals Learn how to promote emotional awareness, social understanding, emotional regulation, emotional empathy and cognitive empathy using a puppet character Learn about early years vs upper primary sessions- from puppets to puppeteering Plan a sample emotions-focus session using your puppet Learn about research supporting the use of puppetry as an effective intervention techniqueThe Presenter: Lucia Smith, Speech Pathologist (from Puppets for Learning and Pelican Talk) has used puppetry in her speech pathology work with children for over thirty years. She knows firsthand how well a puppet can work in sessions - opening doors to connection, to calm, and ultimately, to learning. Just one of her favourite strategies is: “Teach the puppet and not the child! ” It really works!
Sam's ready when you are
Download these evidence-informed pragmatic language stories and start using Social Sam with your students or clients today.
Get Social Sam