Social skills group for kids

Social Skills Groups for Children | Social Skills Training for ADHD

Some kids learn to say “please” and “thank you” and to wait their turn by watching others. But kids with learning and thinking differences might not pick up on common social interactions simply through observation. If your child struggles with social skills, a social skills group could help.

Social skills include far more than the ability to communicate with other people. They’re crucial to making friends, succeeding in school and, later in life, getting and keeping a job. Here are answers to common questions parents have about social skills groups.

What are social skills groups?

Social skills groups are small groups (typically two to eight kids) led by an adult who teaches the kids how to interact appropriately with others their age. They can help kids learn conversational, friendship, and problem-solving skills. They can also be useful in teaching kids to control their emotions and understand other people’s perspectives.

A school psychologist or a speech therapist might lead a social skills group in school. Groups are also offered privately, outside of school.

How do social skills groups work?

Maybe the kids in the group have trouble starting a conversation — or keeping one going. Or perhaps they don’t understand body language. The group facilitator leads kids through exercises to learn the skills needed to deal with whatever social challenge they’re facing. Most of these meetings include a chance for kids to role-play or practice social skills — and to get feedback on how they’re doing.

What are the benefits of social skills groups?

Kids can learn important skills that they’ll use the rest of their lives. This includes learning how to:

Greet others
Start a conversation
Respond to others
Maintain a conversation
Share and take turns
Ask for help

Which children can benefit most from social skills groups?

Social skills groups are best for kids who aren’t developing social skills as quickly as their peers. This may include kids with , who can be too active and physical in their play. It may include kids with , who may have trouble picking up on social cues, like body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. It may also include kids with social communication challenges and other types of learning or behavior issues.

When searching for a social skills group for your child, look for one that’s geared for your child’s specific issues (for example, ADHD) and meant for kids who are around your child’s age.

What if I can’t find a social skills group in my area?

If a social skills group isn’t available in your area, or if there aren’t groups targeted to your child’s needs, there are other ways to help your child learn social skills. You can have your child work with a school counselor or other therapist who can use role-playing and model appropriate social behaviors for your child.

There are software programs you can use at home to help build your child’s social skills. And you can develop silent signals to cue your child to remember to say “thank you” or to use a more appropriate tone of voice in social situations.

You also may want to encourage your child to have one-on-one playdates at your home. Many children do better one-on-one than they do in groups, and you can help keep the playdate running smoothly at home.

Key takeaways

Kids with all types of learning and behavior issues can benefit from social skills groups.
Many schools provide social skills groups led by a psychologist or a therapist.
You can coach your child on social skills at home, too.

The Behavior Exchange | Social Skills Group for Kids

Does your child find it difficult

Does your child find it difficult To interact with their peers?

Do they struggle to make friends? If your child is school-aged, our Social Skills Group can help. Children with autism and
other developmental delays often need help learning how to connect with schoolmates and build meaningful relationships.
Social Skills Group enables them to learn in a fun, low-pressure environment that also works to build their self-confidence.

Do they struggle to make friends? If your child is school-aged, our Social Skills Group can help. Children with autism and other developmental delays often need help learning how to connect with schoolmates and build meaningful relationships. Social Skills Group enables them to learn in a fun, low-pressure environment that also works to build their self-confidence.

How It Works

Social Skills is group therapy designed for school-aged children who need help making friends
and other fulfilling connections. Mastering social skills, like responding appropriately to
situations and empathizing with peers, is critical to a child’s success in large schools and classrooms.

We group children who are developmentally appropriate for each other based on age,
strengths, interest, and scheduling factors. As a result, various levels of therapy are available,
focusing on everything from the basics to more complex skills. The goal is to maximize social
interaction opportunities for children that will also build their confidence.

Social Skills is group therapy designed for school-aged children who need help making friends and other fulfilling connections. Mastering social skills, like responding appropriately to situations and empathizing with peers, is critical to a child’s success in large schools and classrooms.

We group children who are developmentally appropriate for each other based on age, strengths, interest, and scheduling factors. As a result, various levels of therapy are available, focusing on everything from the basics to more complex skills. The goal is to maximize social interaction opportunities for children that will also build their confidence.

Our proprietary curriculum includes fun, age-appropriate activities to help children master conversation, sportsmanship, and friendship skills. Science, art, music, academic enrichment, technology and gaming activities are all used to motivate and engage in our social skills groups for children.

Children learn social skills directly from our degreed ABA therapists, as well as through the natural course of cooperating and interacting with one another. The group dynamic also teaches children how to respond appropriately to a group leader, which simulates a teacher/classroom setting.

Is It Right For

Is It Right For Your Child?

Social Skills Group is designed for older, school-aged children who are not
struggling academically, but have difficulty interacting with peers and
making friends. They have not yet mastered skills like self-monitoring,
responding to situations appropriately, and relating with others.

If your child is too young to participate in Social Skills Group, we can set up
age-appropriate social situations in One-on-One Therapy and provide
individualized attention that will help them to develop and progress in
the areas of cooperative play, sharing, and taking turns.

Social Skills Group is designed for older, school-aged children who are not struggling academically, but have difficulty interacting with peers and making friends. They have not yet mastered skills like self-monitoring, responding to situations appropriately, and relating with others.

If your child is too young to participate in Social Skills Group, we can set up age-appropriate social situations in One-on-One Therapy and provide individualized attention that will help them to develop and progress in the areas of cooperative play, sharing, and taking turns.

What You Can Expect

Your child will have fun as they are challenged in a low-pressure environment to learn and master valuable social skills.

As a graduate of Social Skills Group, your child won’t struggle to make friendships anymore. They will have the social skills to successfully relate to their peers and make lasting connections.

Your child will have fun as they are challenged in a low-pressure environment to learn and master valuable social skills.

As a graduate of Social Skills Group, your child won’t struggle to make friendships anymore. They will have the social skills to successfully relate to their peers and make lasting connections.

Our degreed ABA therapists lead all of our Social Skills sessions and are closely supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) to ensure all children are making progress and achieving their specific goals.

You’ll receive daily reports on your child’s progress as well as monthly session summaries. You’ll also be able to observe your child’s therapy sessions, meet with your child’s BCBA to discuss any concerns you have, and participate in parent training to learn how to apply ABA techniques at home.

Your child won’t have to struggle to make friends after participating in The Behavior Exchange Social Skills Groups. We have helped children and their families for over 20 years, and each of our staff members are highly trained in ABA therapy and techniques. The Behavior Exchange also teaches parents the proper ABA techniques so they can continue to help their child improve outside of our hives. If you’re interested in enrolling your child in our Social Skills Groups, please contact us at 972.312.8733.

Help For You And Your Child Is

Help For You And Your Child Is Only A Few Clicks Away

Click the yellow button below to get started today! The more information you can provide the better, including digital copies
of your child's diagnosis report and insurance card. Once we receive your request, we'll be in touch to schedule
a consultation and tour.

Click the yellow button below to get started today! The more information you can provide the better, including digital copies of your child's diagnosis report and insurance card. Once we receive your request, we'll be in touch to schedule a consultation and tour.

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Social skills of preschoolers - the development of social skills in children

The development of social skills is a necessary point of education. A child with a high degree of socialization will quickly get used to kindergarten, school, any new team; in the future will easily find a job. Social skills have a positive effect on interpersonal relationships - friendship, the ability to cooperate.

Let's figure out what social skills are.

What are social skills and why develop them? nine0007

Social skills - a group of skills, abilities that are formed during the interaction of a person with society and affect the quality of communication with people.

Man is a social being: all our talents and aspirations are realized thanks to other members of the group. Others evaluate our actions, approve or condemn our behavior. It is difficult to reach the pinnacle of self-actualization alone.

That is why social skills are important. They should be developed from early childhood and honed throughout life. nine0003

Social skills are a reflection of the child's emotional intelligence, to which educators and teachers assign an important role in the process of personality development. Without this group of skills, a smart child will not be able to apply the acquired knowledge in practice: it is not enough to create something outstanding, you need to be able to correctly convey thoughts to the public.

Sometimes people mistakenly believe that social skills relate exclusively to the topic of communication, communication. In fact, skills include many multidirectional aspects: an adequate perception of one's own individuality, the ability to empathize, work in a team, etc.

Why do we need social skills?

Regulate the area of interpersonal relationships: the child easily makes new friends, finds like-minded people.
Minimize psychological stress: children with developed social skills quickly adapt, do not feel sad due to changes in external circumstances.
They form an adequate self-esteem from childhood, which positively affects life achievements and development in adulthood.
Social skills cannot be separated from building a successful career: the best specialists must not only understand the profession, but also have high emotional intelligence. nine0024

Development of social skills in a child

Social skills need to be developed from preschool age, but older children and even teenagers may well learn to interact with the world.

It is recommended to pay attention to areas of life that bring discomfort to the child, significantly complicate everyday life.

Friends, interesting interlocutors: the kid does not know how to join the team, he prefers to sit in the corner while the others play.
Verbal difficulties. The child does not understand the rules of conversation, is poorly versed in the formulas of etiquette (when you need to say hello, say goodbye, offer help). nine0024
Problems with the non-verbal side of communication. Such a baby does not recognize the shades of emotions, it is difficult to understand how others relate to him. Cannot "read" faces and gestures.
Does not know the measure in expressing a point of view: too passive or, conversely, aggressive.
The child bullies classmates (participates in bullying) or is a victim.

In case of severe moral trauma, one should consult a psychologist: for example, school bullying is a complex problem that children are not able to cope with on their own. The involvement of parents and teachers is required. nine0003

In other cases, family members may well be able to help the child develop social skills.

What are the general recommendations?

1. Be patient

Don't push your child to get the job done. Let them take the initiative: for example, do not rush to help during school gatherings, let the baby work on the problem on his own. The same goes for lessons and other activities.

2. Support undertakings

Children's dreams seem trifling to adults, but the initiative turns into a habit over the years and helps to discover new projects, meet people, and experiment. nine0003

3. Criticize the right way

When making negative comments, remember the golden rule of criticism: analyze the work, highlighting both positive and negative sides in a polite manner. Commenting on the specific actions of the child, and not his personality or appearance - this will lead to problems with self-esteem.

4. The right to choose

It is important for children to feel that their voice is taken into account and influences the course of events. Invite your child to personally choose clothes, books, cartoons. Ask about ideas, plans: “We are going to have a rest together at the weekend. What are your suggestions? nine0003

5. Personal space

Make sure that the baby has a place where he can be alone and take a break from talking. Personal things should not be touched: rearrange without prior discussion, read correspondence with friends, check pockets, etc.

Children, noticing the respectful attitude of adults, quickly begin to pay in the same coin; the atmosphere in the family becomes warm and trusting.

What social skills should be developed in a child? nine0007

Let's dwell on the main qualities and skills, the development of which is worth paying attention to.

1. The ability to ask, accept and provide help

Without the ability to ask for help, the child will deprive himself of valuable advice; the lack of the ability to accept help will lead to losses, and the inability to provide help will make the baby self-centered.

Let the child help those in need: for example, a lagging classmate.
Explain to your child that getting help from friends and teachers is not a shame. nine0024
Show by personal example that mutual help enriches experience: tell how you exchange advice with colleagues, friends.

2. The ability to conduct a conversation and get the right information

Being a good conversationalist is difficult, but the skill is honed over time and brings a lot of benefits.

Prompt your child for dialogue development options: for example, you can start a conversation with a relevant question, a request for help.
Do not leave the child in the role of a silent listener: when discussing pressing issues at home, ask the opinion of the baby. nine0024
Support children's public speaking: presentations at school, performances, funny stories surrounded by loved ones will add confidence.

3. Empathy

Empathy is the ability to recognize the emotions of others, put yourself in the place of another person, empathize.

This ability will make the child humane, prudent. How can it be developed?

Start by recognizing the child's feelings - it is useless to listen to people if the person does not feel personal experiences. Ask your baby: “How do you feel after a quarrel with friends?”, “Do you want to relax today?” nine0024
After conflicts with classmates, ask your child how the children with whom the quarrel may feel now.
While watching cartoons, reading books, pay your child's attention to the emotional state of the characters.

4. Ability to work in a team

Many children can easily cope with tasks alone, but this is not a reason to refuse to work in a team. It gives the opportunity to exchange ideas and experience, delegate tasks, achieve goals faster and more efficiently. nine0003

If the child does not communicate with members of the team, try to introduce him to another social group: for example, the lack of communication with classmates can be compensated by a circle of interests, where the child will feel calmer.
Make the family a friendly team in which the child has his own "duties": for example, do housework, remind parents of upcoming events. Any activity related to the well-being of other family members will do.

5. Respect for personal boundaries

The absence of an obsessive desire to interfere in other people's lives is a valuable skill that helps to win people's sympathy.

Respect the child's personal boundaries: do not enter the nursery unannounced, do not rummage through personal belongings and correspondence, if the matter does not concern the life and safety of the baby.
If the child violates other people's boundaries (takes toys without permission, asks uncomfortable questions), talk about it in private.

6. Ability to overcome conflict situations

It is difficult to imagine our life without conflicts. The task of the child is to learn how to culturally enter into a discussion, defend his point of view, and not be led by the provocations of his interlocutors.

Discuss problems that arise calmly, without raising your voice. Do not put pressure on the child with parental authority unnecessarily: the child is a separate person who has the right to an opinion.
Do not judge people for views that differ from those of your family but do not affect your well-being. Show your child that the world is very different. nine0024
You can demonstrate to children the basics of a civilized dispute, explain what arguments are, etc. It is advisable to teach this child in kindergarten.

7. Self-confidence

Stable and adequate self-esteem is a quality that not all adults possess.

It is formed under the influence of many factors: relationships between parents, the role of the child in the family circle, the characteristics of the environment that surrounded the child in early childhood.

It is important that the child does not grow up to be either a narcissistic narcissist with fragile self-esteem, or an overly shy person. How can you help your child find balance?

Praise your child for personal progress: to receive a compliment from parents, it is not necessary to win prizes in school competitions. The zeal of the baby, the interest shown and the stamina also deserve praise.
Explain, remind the children that initially they are worthy of respect and love, like all people around. nine0024

Social skills will help in many areas of life: in studies, hobbies, friendships, building a reputation in a team. The main thing is to encourage and support children at all stages.

Emotional intelligence for children

We introduce children to the types of emotions, how to manage them and how to show themselves in teamwork, through situational games

learn more

Psychological and pedagogical conditions for the formation of social skills in young children

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Psychological and pedagogical conditions for the formation of social skills in young children