Wake Up Stars
Wake Up Stars
2-4 players • 10 min • 3 & up
Focus: Communication
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Get ready for an emotional adventure! Collect stars and share stories that spark joy or tug at the heartstrings. Discover what makes your friends happy or sad while competing to gather the most stars. Let the storytelling fun unfold!
Skills: Storytelling, Social Relationships
Game Includes
Game Includes
- 25 stars
- 4 Player Boards
- 1 Tibbar with Base
- 1 Spinner
- 1 Rules Booklet
Share
Collapsible content
How to Play
Educational Standards
Core Standard*: Speaking & Listening
- Speaking & Listening
- Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas Grade Level 1st
Skills
Determine
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players need to determine what emotion is represented on a star, and what to do based on the spin of the spinner.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
If children are having difficulty determining what the face on the star means, try making a face to represent the emotion. Children may be able to recognize the emotion if they see you represent it on your face. If they are still challenged, give clues like "I'm feeling really good" while smiling, or frowning while making crying sounds.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Wake Up Stars is an excellent way for children to learn how to identify and talk about emotions, which is foundational to building empathy and developing emotional regulation.
If children are having difficulty determining what the face on the star means, try making a face to represent the emotion. Children may be able to recognize the emotion if they see you represent it on your face. If they are still challenged, give clues like "I'm feeling really good" while smiling, or frowning while making crying sounds.
Compare
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players need to compare the face on a star to the meaning that face represents.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
If children are having difficulty determining what the face on the star means, turn over another star and discuss the differences.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
If children are having difficulty determining what the face on the star means, turn over another star and discuss the differences.
Remember
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Player will use their memory by remembering when they have experienced the emotion represented on their star.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
If children are having difficultly sharing a story related to the emotion on the star, prompt them with statements like "Do you remember when you were laughing this morning?", "What was the reason you cried the other day?" or "Rabbits like to eat orange vegetables. Can you imagine what would make Tibbar happy?"
Learning Implications and Educator Support
If children are having difficultly sharing a story related to the emotion on the star, prompt them with statements like "Do you remember when you were laughing this morning?", "What was the reason you cried the other day?" or "Rabbits like to eat orange vegetables. Can you imagine what would make Tibbar happy?"
Practice
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Playing Wake Up Stars allows young children to practice identifying emotions and relating them to their experiences.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
Expand the learning of the game by encouraging discussion about the stories children share while playing. Say something like "Tell me more about..." or "How else did you feel when that happened?"
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Expand the learning of the game by encouraging discussion about the stories children share while playing. Say something like "Tell me more about..." or "How else did you feel when that happened?"
Demonstrate
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players demonstrate the emotions on stars by telling stories and making faces that match a star.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
If children are having difficulty determining what the face on the star means, try making a face to represent the emotion. Children may be able to recognize the emotion if they see you represent it on your face. If they are still challenged, give clues like "I'm feeling really good" while smiling, or frowning while making crying sounds.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Wake Up Stars is an excellent way for children to learn how to identify and talk about emotions, which is foundational to building empathy and developing emotional regulation.
If children are having difficulty determining what the face on the star means, try making a face to represent the emotion. Children may be able to recognize the emotion if they see you represent it on your face. If they are still challenged, give clues like "I'm feeling really good" while smiling, or frowning while making crying sounds.
Imagine
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
If the spinner lands on the Tibbar image, the player needs to imagine why Tibbar would feel a certain way.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
If children are having difficultly coming up with a story related to the emotion on the star, prompt them with statements like "Rabbits like to eat orange vegetables. Can you imagine what would make Tibbar happy?" or "If you were Tibbar, why would you feel sad (or whatever the emotion is on the star)?"
Learning Implications and Educator Support
If children are having difficultly coming up with a story related to the emotion on the star, prompt them with statements like "Rabbits like to eat orange vegetables. Can you imagine what would make Tibbar happy?" or "If you were Tibbar, why would you feel sad (or whatever the emotion is on the star)?"
Create
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
If the spinner lands on the Tibbar image, the player needs to create a story explaining why Tibbar would feel a certain way.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
If children are having difficultly coming up with a story related to the emotion on the star, prompt them with statements like "Rabbits like to eat orange vegetables. Can you imagine what would make Tibbar happy?" or "If you were Tibbar, why would you feel sad (or whatever the emotion is on the star)?"
Learning Implications and Educator Support
If children are having difficultly coming up with a story related to the emotion on the star, prompt them with statements like "Rabbits like to eat orange vegetables. Can you imagine what would make Tibbar happy?" or "If you were Tibbar, why would you feel sad (or whatever the emotion is on the star)?"
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Special Needs
Cognitive
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
An adult tells a story first as a model, then prompts the child to tell a similar story from their own experience.
Some children may have difficulty associating a memory with an emotion or feeling. Remind the child of when they saw the emotional expression and encourage them to elaborate on the situation.
If the child has limited language or memory skills, the adult can pick up the star, tell a story, and have the child name the emotion that was felt at the time.
Communication
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
If the child has difficulty relating a story due to language limitations, have the child act out the emotion with another player. This would essentially be charades for emotions.
The adult or another player relates a story of when they remember the child expressing the chosen emotion, and the child labels the emotion or demonstrates the feeling.
Sensorimotor
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Some children with cerebral palsy or other disorders may have difficulty with controlling facial muscles to accurately express and emotion. The child can tell an illustrative story and label the emotion instead of showing the emotion.
The adult or another player relates a story of when they remember the child expressing the chosen emotion, and the child labels the emotion or demonstrates the feeling.
Social Emotional/Behavioral
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
This is a good game for children with autism who are verbal, as it will help them associate experiences with emotions identified on the stars.
This is a good game for children with behavior problems who do not always attend to their own or others emotions. For these children emphasize the feelings of all the parties in the examples given to help them learn the impact of their behavior on others (e.g.," I was happy when I took my brother's toy." Adult asks, "How do you think your brother felt?")
The game presents an opportunity to use the child's behaviors to teach emotions. Have one of each emotion set aside, face up. When the child becomes frustrated, angry, excited, have them pick a star that matches how they feel. Then talk about changing feelings and face to match one of the other stars by giving them a brief break to do something rewarding. When his feelings change, give them the star of the face that matches the new feeling.
Vision
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
If the child can see the expressions on the faces of the stars, no modifications are needed.
If the child has low vision and cannot see the expressions clearly, use a magnifying glass or have the other players demonstrate the expression.
Hearing
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Use sign language, if needed. Other players can quickly learn the signs for the various emotions. Omit storytelling unless someone can interpret sign language.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Autism
Autism Strengths & Interests
Short Summary of Strengths & Interests
- Social Relations: specifically identifying emotions
- Communication
- Story-telling
Is good at matching visual items
Is This Game Appropriate? No
Description
Players do not match visual items, but must match a visual of an emotion to their own feelings.
Has a good memory for sensory details, including visual, touch, taste and smell
This game is not appropriate
Has a good memory for words, phrases and dialouge
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Players must remember previous times they have felt the emotion selected and be able to share the events, words, or dialogue expressed.
Has a good memory for pictures, numbers and patterns
This game is not appropriate
Likes to put things in order or a sequence
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
In order tell a story, the child must be able to sequence events that occurred that led to the emotions described.
Learns through visualizing or "replaying" actions in their mind
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
In order tell a story, children must replay previous experiences in their minds. This re-creation is important to help the child represent the emotion in the game.
Likes activities with rules, such as math and phonics
This game is not appropriate
Is very concrete and literal
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Emotions are abstract, but the requirement for acting them out makes them more concrete.
Learns in small "chunks" (for example, phone numbers are 3 chunks of number xxx-xxx-xxxx that are combined together)
This game is not appropriate
Is good at nonverbal reasoning and logic
This game is not appropriate
Likes spatial problem solving
This game is not appropriate
Can read well with good vocabulary, though may not fully comprehend content
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good fine motor skill
This game is not appropriate
Likes established routines or set ways of doing things
This game is not appropriate
Likes manipulating, constructing or building things
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good musical abilities
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good drawing skills
This game is not appropriate
Autism Special Considerations
Appears to ignore other's communication and/or has difficulty giving eye contact to a communication partner
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Wake Up Stars can be played if the child can be prompted to give eye contact.
Has difficulty understanding complex verbal directions
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
The directions to Wake Up Stars are not complex; however, players need to listen to and be able to tell a story explaining when a specific emotion was or might be felt. If the child cannot recognize the representation of an emotion on the star, another player can make the face. It may be easier to recognize the emotion on a person.
A child who cannot explain when an expression was or might be felt can imitate the expression on the star selected and have another player give an example of when that expression would be seen.
Attributing feelings to Tibbar may be too difficult, so this aspect of the game may be eliminated.
Uses vocabulary inaccurately or demonstrates echolalia (repeating another's speech)
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
The players need to use vocabulary accurately to be able to tell an understandable story. A child who cannot explain when an expression was felt or might be felt can imitate the expression on the star selected and have another player give an example of when that expression would be seen.
Wake Up Stars is likely inappropriate if the child has severe echolalia that prevents spontaneous language.
Gets stuck repeating a verbal topic or physical actions and/or has difficulty attending to others' actions or topic.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Players need to listen to and be able to tell a story explaining when a specific emotion was felt.
Children who cannot stay on the expected topic will have difficulty playing Wake Up Stars.
Has difficulty producing speech/communication
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Players need to listen to and be able to tell a story explaining when a specific emotion was or could be felt. A child who cannot explain when an expression is experienced can imitate the expression to earn a star and have another player give an example of when that expression would be seen
Has difficulty sequencing multi-step actions and/or doing complex abstract tasks
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
An adult or other players can prompt each step of the sequence to help the child be successful. For example, "First spin the dial. Now pick up one star. What face is the star making?" If the child can label the emotion, then say, "When did you feel like this star?" If the child cannot express this in words, give the child credit if he can imitate the expression on the star.
Demonstrates difficulty initiating and maintaining social interactions
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Wake Up Stars is designed to help children recognize facial expressions and associate them with meaningful situations. This will help children read others' facial cues and develop empathy. An adult or other players can prompt each step of the sequences to help the child be successful. For example, "First spin the dial. Now pick up one star. What face is the star making?" If the child can label the emotion, then say, "When did you feel like this star?" If the child cannot express this in words, give the child credit if he can imitate the expression on the star. Encourage the child with autism to watch and listen to the other players, and have other players demonstrate the emotions as they tell their story.
Acts out or demonstrates avoidance behaviors when frustrated, overwhelmed, or needs more sensory input.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
The game presents an opportunity to use the child's behaviors to teach emotions. Have one of each emotion set aside, face up. When the child becomes frustrated, angry, excited, have them pick a star that matches how they feel. Then talk about changing feelings and face to match one of the other stars by giving them a brief break to do something rewarding. When feelings change, give them the star of the face that matches the new feeling.
Has short attention span for non-preferred activities
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Wake Up Stars is a quick game that should hold the child's attention if he is interested in stars and/or puzzles, as the star shapes are placed in a puzzle-like board.
Needs sameness or consistent routines and/or has difficulty with transitions from one activity to another
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
The game presents an opportunity to use the child's behaviors to teach emotions. Use the game stars as motivators to transition to the game. Have one of each emotion set aside, face up. When the child becomes frustrated, angry, excited, have them pick a star that matches how they feel. Then talk about changing feelings and face to match one of the other stars by giving them a brief break to do something rewarding. When feelings change, give them the star of the face that matches the new feeling.
Has difficulty understanding others' feelings, intentions, and the reasons for others' actions.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
The goal of Wake Up Stars is to help children understand others' feelings and actions. With the appropriate support children with autism should be able to enjoy and benefit from the game. Children with autism often have difficulty understanding how others feel.
Identifying Tibbar's feelings is a greater challenge. Tibbar can be eliminated from the game until the child gains a greater understanding of how the stories are told.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Extended Play
Extra Ways to Play the Game
If the players spins one star, proceed under original rules. If the player spins two stars, have player tell a story involving two or more characters. Players must identify one character that demonstrates the feelings on the star selected and also identify the feelings of the other people in the story they create.
Materials Needed
No additional materials needed.
Developmental Benefits
This alternative encourages players to consider other people's feelings in addition to their own.
Extra Ways to Play the Game
A player picks up a star and looks at it without showing the other players. He then acts out the feeling. If other players can guess the emotion, the player wins the star.
Materials Needed
No additional materials needed.
Developmental Benefits
Being able to spontaneously name an emotion may be hard for some children. Being able to imitate an expression will help the child learn to connect that expression with the label other players attach to it.
Extra Ways to Play the Game
Have players tell a story involving two people, with one of the people feeling the emotion on the star. The player then also tells how the other person felt and why. If most of the players agree with the child's explanation, the child can take a star from another player.
Materials Needed
No additional materials needed.
Developmental Benefits
Emphasizing the feelings of all the parties in the examples given will help children learn the impact of their behavior on others (e.g.," I was happy when I took my brother's toy." Adult asks, "How do you think your brother felt?")
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Collapsible content
How to Play Video & Transcript
A game where players collect stars with different emotions and share stories.
You can play Wake Up Stars with 2-4 players, ages 3 and up.
Wake Up Stars is good for developing Storytelling Skills as players look at the expressions on the stars they pick up and tell a story about something that makes them feel that way.
Wake Up Stars also helps with Social Relationships as players practice empathy, by talking about how someone else might feel based on the expression on the star they have chosen.
• Place all the stars face down in the middle of the play area where everyone can reach them.
• Place Tibbar into the slot in his base and set him next to the stars, as if he were one of the players.
• Set the spinner next to the stars; it will get passed around to each player.
• Each player takes a board and places it in front of themselves.
Players collect stars on their board by sharing stories about what makes them feel like the face on each star they collect. The player who collects the most stars at the end of the game wins.
On your turn, spin the spinner. Each player gets one spin each round. If the arrow lands exactly in between two spaces, spin again.
When the spinner lands on a single star, choose a star from the center area. Turn it over to reveal the face and share a story about something that makes you feel like the face on the star. Then place it in one of the open spaces on your board.
For example: If the star you chose has a sad face, share something that makes you sad.
“I feel sad when it is time to leave the playground.”
When the spinner lands on two stars, pick two stars from the center area. Choose one of them to share a story about what makes you feel like the face on the star. Then make a face similar to the face on the other star. Place both stars in open spaces on your board.
“I like to laugh at dad’s funny jokes.”
How do you look when you don’t like something?
Make a “yucky” face and show the other players.
Note: If you have filled all eight spaces on your board, you may stack the stars you collect on top of one another on your board.
When the spinner lands on Tibbar hugging a star, choose a star from the center area and tell a story about what makes Tibbar feel like the face on the star. Then place the star next to Tibbar.
For example: “Tibbar is happy when he has lots of carrots.”
The game ends when the last star is picked from the center area. The player with the most stars is the winner! If two or more players tie, they share the victory.
What puts a smile on your face?
Learn to identify and express your emotions while sharing stories and laughter with Wake Up Stars!
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