What I start really early on is to make storybooks about their family. This is the Dickinsons’ TV book, so-and-so likes — this is their favorite TV, Dick likes — this is their favorite TV, Daniel Tiger is this person’s favorite TV — and then we do colors of people’s shirts and different kinds of categories.
And then when things come up we might say, “You know, Mom’s birthday is coming up and she really wants a blouse. What color do you think the blouse could be?” And I’ll hand them mother’s book, and he can go through and go, “Oh, her favorite color is blue. I think we should buy her a blue blouse.” You know, that kind of application starts getting theory of mind directly into their lives.
