Description
Social Skills
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Taking turns
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Sharing
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Eye contact (during play and anticipation)
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Joint attention (focusing on the same thing as another person)
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Following simple rules
Communication Skills
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Making choices (“Which tooth will you press?”)
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Requesting a turn (“My turn?” or using AAC/signs)
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Describing (e.g., “It’s open!”, “It snapped!”)
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Using sentence starters (“I think…”, “I want…”)
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Practicing cause and effect language (“If I press… it might snap!”)
Emotional Regulation
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Managing surprises (when the mouth snaps shut)
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Coping with disappointment (if it’s not your turn)
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Practicing calm reactions in a safe setting
Motor Skills
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Fine motor: pressing individual teeth with control
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Hand-eye coordination
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Strengthening finger muscles
Cognitive Skills
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Anticipation and prediction
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Memory (remembering which teeth were pressed)
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Problem-solving
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Impulse control (waiting before pressing)
Sensory Input
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Gentle tactile input through pressing
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Surprise input (mouth snap) for sensory seekers
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Can be paired with sensory breaks or calming strategies
How to play:
- The crocodile opens its mouth.
- You press one tooth at a time.
- One tooth is “sore.”
- If you press the sore tooth… SNAP! The mouth shuts!
- Don’t worry — it’s not scary and doesn’t hurt.
